William Henry Ashley was an American fur trader and explorer born in 1778. He played a significant role in the early 19th-century fur trade in the western United States. Ashley founded the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and organized several expeditions into the Rocky Mountains, which helped expand the fur trade and opened up new territories for settlement. Ashley is also known for his involvement in the famous Ashley Expedition of 1825, which aimed to explore and map the region. His efforts contributed to the understanding of the geography and resources of the American West, influencing future exploration and settlement in the area.