About Yousuf Karsh
Yousuf Karsh (Armenian: Հովսեպ Քարշ, romanized: Hovsep K'arsh; December 23, 1908 – July 13, 2002) was an Armenian-Canadian photographer, known for his portraits of notable individuals. He has been described as one of the greatest portrait photographers of the 20th century. An Armenian genocide survivor, Karsh emigrated to Canada as a refugee. By the 1930s, he established himself as a significant photographer in Ottawa, where he lived most of his adult life, though he traveled extensively for work. His iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill marked a major turning point in his career and brought him international recognition. More than 20 photos by Karsh appeared on the cover of Life magazine, until he retired in 1993. == Early life and arrival in Canada == Yousuf Karsh was born to Ottoman Armenian parents Amsih Karsh (1872–1962), a merchant, and Bahia Nakash (1883–1958), on December 23, 1908, in Mardin, Diyarbekir Vilayet (present day Mardin Province, Turkey). His father was a weaver and importer of artisanal goods, including spices, indigo, silks, and textiles acquired through markets along the Persian Gulf, while his mother, the daughter of an engraver, had been educated at the Protestant-sponsored American Mission School. He had two brothers, Jamil and Malak. Karsh grew up during the Armenian genocide, an experience marked by displacement, starvation, and exposure to violence, including acts committed against members of his own family.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.