Abel Seyler (23 August 1730,
Liestal – 25 April 1801,
Rellingen) was a Swiss-born banker, who later became one of the great theatre principals of 18th century Europe. He was "the leading patron of German theatre" in his lifetime, and is credited with introducing
Shakespeare to a German language audience, and with promoting the concept of a national theatre in the tradition of
Ludvig Holberg, the
Sturm und Drang playwrights, and
German opera.