In Hortus Veitchii, the history of the Veitch family, Lobb's contribution to modern gardening is described thus:The singular success which rewarded his researches is, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of botanical discovery; the labours of David Douglas not even forming an exception [REF].
In her history of the Veitch family, Seeds of Fortune - A Gardening Dynasty, Sue Shephard adds:William was arguably one of the finest but least-known of collectors who gave gardeners some of the most remarkable trees and loveliest plants ever grown [REF].