Ackermann, Rudolph (1764-1834), was a German-born English art publisher who settled in London in the mid 1780's. He patented a lithography process in England in 1817, possibly introducing lithography into Britain (see Lithography). Between 1794 and 1832, Ackermann published more than 300 books, many illustrated with hand-colored plates. He also published thousands of books illustrated with etchings, engravings, and other graphic arts techniques. He commissioned many works from such English artists as Thomas Rowlandson.