Sublette, William Lewis (1799?–1845), a United States frontiersman and fur-trader. Sublette led fur-trading expeditions to the West in 1828, 1831, and 1832, and helped blaze trails that were later used by pioneers migrating westward. On one of his expeditions, he led the first wagons (used to haul pelts) over the route that became known as the Oregon Trail. Sublette's Cut-Off, in southwestern Wyoming, shortened the trail by more than 50 miles (80 km). He later became a partner in a fur company and also served as a public official in St. Louis. Sublette was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky.