Martin Laroche
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.
Also recorded as Silvester, William Henry,
Martin Laroche
Martin Laroche · Royal Collection Trust · Public domain
- Born
- Martin Laroche was born on 15 September 1814.
- Died
- Martin Laroche died on 10 November 1886.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- photographer
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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.
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In this article
Life
Life
Born in Lambeth, he started work as a jeweller. He married Angelique Samson, in the mid–1830s. 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". He exhibited at The Great Exhibition (1851) and is said to photographed Queen Victoria and actor Charles Kean, though none of the photographs is extant.
Talbot v. Laroche
Talbot v. Laroche
In 1854, Laroche deliberately fomented a conflict with Talbot by advertising that he was using Frederick Scott Archer's collodion process which Talbot regarded as in breach of his own patent. There are some claims that Laroche had worked with Archer on its development. Others believe the two were introduced by a common friend, photographer William Peirce. 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.
Later life
Later life
Laroche continued in Oxford Street until the early 1860s and then moved to Birmingham where he died.
The Royal Collection Martin Laroche Miss Carlotta Leclercq (1838-93) as Perdita 1856 Martin Laroche (1814-86) Miss Carlotta Leclercq (1838-93) as Perdita 1856 Handpainted albumen print | 51.0 x 43.2 cm (Frame) (frame, external) | RCIN 500469 Photograph of the actress Carlotta Leclercq dressed as the character Perdita from William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. She is dressed in a Victorian sheph
Martin Laroche
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1814
Martin Laroche was born on 15 September 1814.
1886
Martin Laroche died on 10 November 1886.
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Martin Laroche is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Recorded with the occupation photographer.
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 17 August 2026.
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