Karl Friedrich Cerf

Karl Friedrich Cerf (27 February 1771, Unter-Eisenheim-on-the-Main, Landkreis Würzburg, Germany - 6 November 1845, Berlin) was a German theatrical manager.

Cerf was born Jewish but embraced Christianity when very young.

After having been engaged for many years in the horse trade at Dessau, he rose to the post of chief military agent, and in this capacity took part in the campaign of 1813-15, under Count Peter Wittgenstein, general of the Imperial Russian army.

The courage and fidelity displayed by Cerf won for him the favor of Emperor Alexander I, who conferred on him a gold medal.

Cerf then settled at Berlin, and in 1822 obtained from Friedrich Wilhelm III a perpetual grant for the erection of the Königsstädtisches Theater.