Thư, known as Xuân Khanh, was born in 1849. Xuân Khanh's father was Nghị (Dịch Phu) and his mother was Thinh Nghiêm Bá. His paternal grandparents were Thụy and Hoan Bùi. He was an only child. He died due to giỗ 17/6 âm lịch. He was buried in Đống thọ.