Paul Octave Hébert (December 12, 1818 – August 29, 1880) was a soldier and politician who served as 14th Governor of Louisiana from 1853 to 1856.

He then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he matriculated with William T. Sherman and George H. Thomas before graduating at the top of his class.

[1][2] In 1845, Hébert resigned from the army[3] after being appointed Chief Engineer of the State of Louisiana by Governor Alexandre Mouton.

As a lieutenant colonel of the U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment he fought at Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec and Mexico City.

He campaigned against some features of the new constitution, called for internal improvements, reform of the state militia, a banking system by general laws and redemption in specie of all paper money.

Hébert took the oath as Governor and guided the legislature towards improvements in water commerce and railroad construction.

Hébert also instituted a state library, reorganized the militia, improved Charity Hospital and organized the efforts against yellow fever of 1853.

In 1855, Hébert promoted and the legislature passed a tax of on all property to support the public school system which is open only to whites between the ages of six and sixteen.

Governor Thomas Overton Moore appointed Hébert to the military board to reorganize militia and defenses in the New Orleans area.

Jefferson Davis dismissed him as military commander of Texas on October 10 for imposition of martial law and harsh measures in enforcing conscription.

He was active in the politics of Reconstruction supporting the Liberal Republican movement and accepted a minor appointment in New Orleans.

In 1872, Hébert endorsed Horace Greeley and opposed the Louisiana "Custom House" Republican faction.