Christian Jakob Kraus (German pronunciation: [ˈkʁɪsti̯a(ː)n ˈjaːkɔp ˈkʁaʊs];[3][4] 27 July 1753 – 25 August 1807) was a German comparative and historical linguist.

A native of Osterode (East Prussia), Kraus studied at the universities of Königsberg and Göttingen.

In 1782 he became a professor of practical philosophy and cameralism in Königsberg.

A student of Immanuel Kant, Kraus was famous for importing the ideas of Adam Smith into the German academic scene.

Kraus encouraged the East Prussian officials and nobility to improve rural conditions in the province; some of his ideas were later adapted in the era of Prussian reforms.