Paul Ambrose Oliver (July 18, 1831 – May 17, 1912) was an American explosives inventor, American Civil War Union Army captain and staff officer who was appointed to the brevet grade of brigadier general and Medal of Honor recipient. He was born on the ship Louisiana, his father's merchant ship, during one of its voyages in the English Channel. Before the Civil War, he worked as a shipping merchant. Oliver resigned his commission on May 6, 1865.