Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt (May 16, 1791 – September 22, 1873) was a German mineralogist and professor at Freiberg Mining Academy in Freiberg, Saxony.

He received his doctorate at the Universities of Jena and Marburg.

He studied under Abraham Gottlob Werner at the Freiberg Mining Academy where he received an appointment in 1813 as teacher and lapidary, and became professor of mineralogy after the departure of Friedrich Mohs in 1826.

He is credited with the discovery of 47 valid mineral species.

His work included important contributions to crystallography and the physical and chemical properties of minerals.