José Gil Fortoul (Barquisimeto, Lara, 25 November 1861 – Caracas, 15 June 1943) was a writer, historian, politician and member of Venezuelan positivism, appointed as Provisional President in 1913.
Along with César Zumeta, Pedro Manuel Arcaya, Laureano Vallenilla Lanz, Victorino Márquez Bustillos, was one of the defenders of the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez.