There were two G.B. Sowerys, the first (1788-1854) and the second (1812-
1884), father and son. The Sowerby family was a dominant influence in
zoological (and botanical) iconography, illustrating, writing and publishing
books on most animal groups. They concentrated their efforts upon the
lower animals, especially upon molluscs and their shells, and were among
the last to abandon steel engraving for other methods of graphic
reproduction.
