| Paul Demetrius von Kotzebue | |
| Honorific Prefix: | Graf |
| Birth Date: | 10 August 1801 |
| Birth Place: | Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, Holy Roman Empire |
| Death Place: | Reval, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire (now Tallinn, Estonia) |
| Branch: | Imperial Russian Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1819–1884 |
| Rank: | General of the Infantry |
| Battles: | Caucasian Wars Russo-Persian War (1826–1828) Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829) November Uprising Crimean War |
Paul Demetrius Graf von Kotzebue (Russian: Па́вел Евста́фьевич Коцебу́, tr. ; 10 August 1801 – 19 April 1884) was a Baltic German statesman and general who was in the service of the Russian Empire. One of 18 children of the famous German dramatist August von Kotzebue, P. D. Kotzebue was most notable for his military career, especially during the Crimean War as he gained a reputation as a capable and orderly commander. However, Kotzebue was criticised by Russian historians for being highly Germanophile and had an certain level of condescension toward the Russians since he was German.
In additions to his achievements, he was elevated to count in 1874. He was Governor-General of Novorossiysk-Bessarabia and commander of the Odessa Military District from 1862 to 1874, and also Governor-General of Warsaw and commander of the Warsaw Military District from 1874 to 1880.
That Germans like Kotzebue should hold the highest position in Russian Poland was not strange:"Germans in Russia were noted for traditional German orderliness, discipline, frugality, and calculation. Germans in high government positions were noted for their efficiency and incorruptibility – both characteristics in sharp contrast with Russian officials."[1]