Martin Laroche, born William Henry Silvester, (15 September 1814 – 10 November 1886) was an early English professional photographer who successfully challenged William Fox Talbot's patent on the calotype and effected a liberalisation in professional practice, research and development that catalysed the development of photography in the nineteenth century.
By 1851 the couple had five children and Laroche had changed his name, occupying studios in Oxford Street, London and describing himself as a "Daguerreotype artist".
[citation needed] Talbot brought a legal action against Laroche for £5,000 but the claim failed.
However, Laroche was left with legal costs of £400-£500 though these were raised by public subscription.
[1] Laroche continued in Oxford Street until the early 1860s and then moved to Birmingham where he died.