Paul W. Schroeder (born February 23, 1927)[1] is an American historian and professor emeritus of history at the University of Illinois, specializing in late-sixteenth- to twentieth-century European international politics, Central Europe, and the theory of history.

Schroeder was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Rupert H. Schroeder and Elfrieda Koch.[1] He attended Concordia Seminary (graduated 1951), Texas Christian University, and the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his doctorate in 1958.[1] He received the 1956 Beveridge Award for the best manuscript on American history submitted by a beginning historian.[2] He was an associate professor of history at Concordia Senior College from 1958 to 1963, after which he was hired at the University of Illinois.