ACKERMAN, FRANCIS (c. 1335-87), Flemish soldier and diplomat, was born at Ghent. He was partly responsible for inducing Philip van Artevelde to become first captain of the city of Ghent in 1382. He secured for Ghent assistance from the citizens of Brussels, Louvain and Liege, and, as admiral of the Flemish fleet, visited England and obtained a promise of help from King Richard II. After Artevelde's death in Nov. 1382, Ackerman acted as leader of the Flemings. He took part in the conclusion of the treaty of peace between Ghent and Philip the Bold, duke of Burgundy, in Dec. 1385. Trusting in Philip, and ignoring the warnings of his friends, Ackerman remained in Flan ders and was murdered at Ghent on July 22, 1387, leaving a memory of chivalry and generosity.
See. Jean Froissart, Chroniques, ed. S. Luce and G. Raynaud (Paris, 1869-97) ; Johannes Brandon, Chronodromon, ed. K. de Lettenhove in the Chroniques relatives a l'histoire de la Belgique sous la domination des dues de Bourgogne (Brussels, 187o).