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

Inscription.
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,

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in Alameda County. It is in Northside. It is on Virginia Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2517 Virginia Street, Berkeley CA 94709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

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

Robert Hale Merriman image. Click for more information.

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.

of all markers in Berkeley.

Also see . . . Robert Hale Merriman. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 14, 2020.)

Robert Hale Merriman Residence Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

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 520 times since then and 57 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.