Paul Linton Patterson was an American Republican politician. A native of Ohio, he served in World War I before becoming an attorney in Oregon. Later he served as President of the Oregon State Senate (1951–1952) and the 26th Governor of Oregon (1952–1956). He was the first Governor of Oregon who was born in the 20th century, as well as the most recent one to die in office.

The governor of Oregon is the head of government of Oregon and serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments.