There were two G.B. Sower⁢ys, 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.