Northside in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Robert Hale Merriman Residence
Berkeley History
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 3, 2020
1. Robert Hale Merriman Residence Marker
Robert Hale Merriman, a UC Berkeley graduate student studying economics during the early 1930s, was among the first Americans to give his life in the fight against fascism. During the Spanish Civil War, Merriman was a commanding officer of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion, which consisted of over 3,000 volunteers—at least ten of them from Berkeley—fighting to preserve the Spanish Republic. He disappeared after a battle in April 1938, presumably killed by General Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces. Merriman was also notably the inspiration for Robert Jordan, the protagonist of Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. While attending Cal shortly before leaving for Europe, Merriman and his wife Marion lived in this apartment building.
Plaque sponsored by UC Berkeley history major Milton Zerman
Berkeley Historical Plaque Project
2019
Erected 2019 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1938.
Location. 37° 52.679′ N, 122° 15.604′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Northside. Marker is on Virginia Street, on the left when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Allenoke Manor (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Annie's Oak" (about 700 feet away); Daley’s Scenic Park Street Improvenents (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cloyne Court Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jensen House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hillside School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benjamin Ide Wheeler House and Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Observatory Hill (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.
Also see . . . Robert Hale Merriman. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 14, 2020.)
via Berkeley News, unknown
2. Robert Hale Merriman
Marion Merriman (center) met her husband (right) when they were undergraduates at the University of Nevada, Reno. When Robert Merriman entered graduate school at UC Berkeley, they moved into a $20-a-month Berkeley apartment where current student Milton Zerman hopes to install a plaque honoring the well-known alumnus. On the left is Dave Doran, who fought — and perished — alongside Robert Merriman in the Spanish Civil War. (Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives)
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 3, 2020
3. Robert Hale Merriman Residence Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here just to the right of the building entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
