He was the first one to compile a tezkire (bibliographical dictionary of poets and poetry), a genre which would have many followers until the 19th century.
Together with his friend,[1] poet Necati (d.1509),[2] he served as katib (secretary) to Princes Şehzade Mahmud, son of Bayezid II,[1] and Süleyman, the later would become known as Suleiman the Magnificent.
He was in charge of many waqfs located in Edirne and Ergene, being a chief trustee, in Turkish mütevelli.
[3] He is mostly remembered for the tezkire, Heşt Behişt (Eight Springs), which he finished in 1538.
It narrated the work and life of 241 poets and was very well received and supported by the Ottoman high social circles.