James De Carle Sowerby was a British mineralogist, botanist, and illustrator. He received an education in chemistry.
Sowerby was born in London, the son of botanical artist James Sowerby, and his wife, Anne de Carle. He continued his father's work and published, together with his brother George Brettingham Sowerby I, the latter volumes of the Mineral Conchology of Great Britain, begun by their father.
Together with a cousin, he founded the Royal Botanic Society and Gardens, and was its secretary for 30 years.
His son William Sowerby was also a botanist and illustrator, and succeeded him as Secretary of the Royal Botanic Society in 1869.
In 1846, John William Salter married Sally, daughter of Sowerby, and eventually fathered seven children with her.
Sowerby died in Kilburn, London in 1871.