Nikolaus Freiherr von Krufft (1 February 1779 – 16 April 1818) was an Austrian composer and civil servant.
He took lessons from Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (1736-1809, composer, organist, and music theorist) in counterpoint and composition.
The Austrian-born French composer and publisher Pleyel (1757-1831) praised his 24 Preludes and Fugues as original, masterly in counterpoint, technically challenging, and distinguished among works of their kind.
Krufft thought them his best work, and dedicated them to Archduke Rudolf (1788-1831, cardinal, patron of the arts, friend of Beethoven).
His official cause of death was overwork, but it has been conjectured he might have been suffering from the ailment which claimed the life of Schubert (i.e., syphilis).