Mineralogist. Born in Vienna on 14 December 1837. In 1853, entered the Piarist Order in Krems; becomes Prefect in Vienna. After completing his school-leaving examinations he left the Order and began to study teaching at the University of Vienna. He particularly devoted himself to his mineralogical education. In March 1861 he became the "affirmed Assistant" of the Imperial Mineralogical Cabinet. It is here that he conducted his renowned crystallographic experiments, supported by the extensive collections. He obtained his PhD from the University of Tübingen. In 1863 he qualified as a University lecturer in physical mineralogy at the University of Vienna.

Schrauf became curator in 1867 and after the death of Director Hoernes on 4 November 1868, he was appointed Chief Curator of the Imperial Mineralogical Cabinet. At the end of 1874 he became full Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Vienna (succeeding A.E. Reuss), and departed from the Museum. He died on 29 November 1897 in Vienna.