Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831) was Professor of violin at the French Conservatoire from its foundation until 1825. Beethoven dedicated his famous Kreutzer Sonata for violin and piano (Op.47) to him in 1802-3. The famous 'Kreutzer' Stradivari violin, sold last year in Christie's sale rooms, also owes its name to him. His career as a soloist ended prematurely when he broke his arm in a carriage accident in 1810. Of his many compositions he is principally remembered for his 40 (later 42) tudes or Caprices.
It is possible that this medal was awarded to his brother, Jean Nicolas Auguste, who studied at the Conservatoire under his brother and won the Premier Prix for violin in 1801. He later joined the staff and took over Rodolphe's class in 1826 on his retirement through ill-health.