John Edward Sowerby
John Edward Sowerby (17 January 1825 – 28 January 1870) was a British botanical illustrator and publisher born in Lambeth, London on 17 January 1825. Part of the Sowerby family, he was eldest son of Charles Edward Sowerby and grandson of James Sowerby. John inherited a taste for botanical drawing, and in 1841 produced his first work—the plates for his father's Illustrated Catalogue of British Plants.
Also recorded as John Sowerby · J. E. Sowerby · J.E.Sowerby · John E. Sowerby
John Edward Sowerby

John Edward Sowerby · Wellcome Collection, London · Wellcome Collection · Public Domain Mark
- Born
- 1825 · Lambeth.
- Died
- 1870
- Nationality
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- botanist · artist · publisher · illustrator
- Fields
- illustration · botany · publishing
- Languages
- French · English
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Documentary summary
John Edward Sowerby (17 January 1825 – 28 January 1870) was a British botanical illustrator and publisher born in Lambeth, London on 17 January 1825. Part of the Sowerby family, he was eldest son of Charles Edward Sowerby and grandson of James Sowerby. John inherited a taste for botanical drawing, and in 1841 produced his first work—the plates for his father's Illustrated Catalogue of British Plants.
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wikidata · Q5933203 · wikipedia · John Edward Sowerby
In this article
Major works
Major works
His life was thenceforth mainly spent in illustrating botanical works, in collaboration with Charles Johnson (1791–1880), and Charles Pierpoint Johnson, who contributed the text. His only independent work was An Illustrated Key to the Natural Orders of British Wild Flowers, published in 1865. He died on 28 January 1870 in London at Lavender Hill, Clapham. He married on 10 February 1853 Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Roger and Ann Dewhurst of Preston, Lancashire. She survived him, and, in recognition of the scientific value of his work, was granted a civil list pension.
J.E.Sowerby • Illustration — Osmunda regalis, from The Ferns of Great Britain Sowerby's illustrations appear in the following works • The Ferns of Great Britain by C. Johnson,’ London, 1855. • The Fern Allies [a supplement to the preceding]. Descriptions by C. Johnson, London, 1856. • British Poisonous Plants, by C. Johnson (the twenty-eight plates were copies from ‘English Botany’), London, 1856. • The Grasses of Great Britain Described by C. Johnson, London, 1857–61. • Wild Flowers worth Notice, by Mrs. Lankester, 8vo, London, 1861; another edit. 1871. • British Wild Flowers by C. P. Johnson, London, 1858–60; another edit. in 1863. • The Useful Plants of Great Britain by C. P. Johnson, London, 1861. • English Botany, 3rd ed. and supplement, London, 1863–1886. • Rust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould by M. C. Cooke, London 1865.

Twelve British wild flowers with their common names. Coloured engraving, c. 1861, after J. Sowerby., 1861, by John Edward Sowerby
John Edward Sowerby · Wellcome Collection, London · Wellcome Collection

Twelve British wild flowers with their common names. Coloured engraving, c. 1861, after J. Sowerby., 1861, by John Edward Sowerby
John Edward Sowerby · Wellcome Collection, London · Wellcome Collection
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1825
John Edward Sowerby born at Lambeth.
1870
John Edward Sowerby died.
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- England
Named but not plotted · 1
Lambeth.
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Primary material
Documents and archives
scholarly publication
- English botany, or, Coloured figures of British plants / edited by John T. Boswell Syme; the popular portion by Mrs. Lankester; the figures by J. Sowerby, J. de C. Sowerby, J. W. Salter, and John Edward Sowerby, 1863
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 1863
- English botany, or, coloured figures of British plants / edited by John T. Boswell Syme; the popular portion by Mrs. Lankester; the figures by J. Sowerby, J. de C. Sowerby, J.W. Salter, and John Edward Sowerby, 1873
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 1873
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5933203: John Edward Sowerby
Reputable secondary · Wikimedia Foundation
- “John Edward Sowerby”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
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scholarly publication
Institutional witnessscholarly publication
Institutional witnessreference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q5933203: John Edward SowerbyWikimedia Foundation
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
Further particulars
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Further particulars
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The authorities additionally record the headings John Sowerby, J. Sowerby, J.E.Sowerby and John E. His recorded languages were French and English. He was the child of Charles Edward Sowerby. Recorded as botanist, artist, publisher and illustrator.
Identity and origins
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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