Ludwig Straus (March 28, 1835 – October 23, 1899) was anAustrianviolinist.

Straus was born atPressburg. He studied at theVienna Conservatorium from 1843 to 1848, as a pupil ofBöhm; made his first appearance in 1850, and five years afterwards made a tour in Italy; in 1857 he became acquainted with his lifelong friend, the cellistPiatti, and toured with him inGermany andSweden. From 1860 to 1864 he was a concert-meister atFrankfurt, and during these years he visited England frequently, in the year 1864 taking up his residence there.^[1]

He was for many years a leader of the Halle orchestra in Manchester, and a familiar figure at thePopular Concerts in London. He was first violin in the Queen's Band. He retired, owing to ill health, in 1893, and from that time till his death, lived atCambridge.^[1]

His playing, whether ofviolin orviola, had very great qualities; he was perfect in ensemble, and his power of self-effacement was of a piece with his gentle disposition and with the pure love of art which distinguished him through life. He was known for his lovable nature and his quiet influence in his work affected his times.^[1]

He was the uncle and guardian of the chemistIda Freund. Her estate later gave money to the Royal Manchester College of Music in his name.^[2]

•   This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Straus, Ludwig".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 1002.