Sowerby family facts for kids

James Sowerby, a key member of the Sowerby family. Heaphy, 1816

The Sowerby family was a famous British family. For four generations, they were amazing nature experts, artists, botanists (plant scientists), and zoologists (animal scientists). They loved to study and draw the natural world.

A Family of Nature Experts

The Sowerbys were like a team of scientists and artists. They passed their knowledge and skills down from parents to children.

Meet the Sowerby Family

Here are some of the most important members of this talented family:

• James Sowerby (1757–1822): He was the first famous Sowerby.
  • James De Carle Sowerby (1787–1871)
  • George Brettingham Sowerby I (1788–1854)
    • George Brettingham Sowerby II (1812–1884)
      • George Brettingham Sowerby III (1843–1921)
  • Charles Edward Sowerby (1795–1842)
    • John Edward Sowerby (1825–1870)

Their Love for Shells

Most of the Sowerby family's work was about molluscs. Molluscs are soft-bodied animals like snails, clams, and octopuses. The Sowerbys studied their shells and how to group them. They gave scientific names to many new species. Some people say they named as many as 5,000 different kinds of animals!

Their special interest was conchology. This is the study and collection of shells. They published many books filled with beautiful drawings of shells.

The Three G.B. Sowerbys

You might notice there were three people named George Brettingham Sowerby (G.B. Sowerby I, II, and III). All three of them wrote a lot about shells. This can sometimes be confusing for scientists! To make it easier, people often add "I," "II," or "III" after their names. This helps everyone know which G.B. Sowerby they are talking about.

Images for kids

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  The family grave of George Brettingham Sowerby I, Charlotte Caroline Sowerby and George Brettingham Sowerby II in Highgate Cemetery.