Merrill, George A.

George A. Merrill was born on September 9, 1866, in Portland, Maine, to Henry Franklin Merrill and Aurelia Maria (Grant) Merrill. The family moved to San Francisco when Goerge was 7. His college preparatory education was received at Boys' High School (now Lowell) in San Francisco. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of California in 1888 and took post-graduate studies there from 1893–1894.

In 1895, Merrill married Sarah Elizabeth McKie. Merrill began his teaching career as a science instructor at Cogswell Polytechnic College in 1888, became the head of the Science Department in 1889, and then served as principal in 1892–1893. When the California School of Mechanical Arts was established, he was appointed its director, serving from 1894 until his retirement in 1939. He even wrote the first physics textbook for the school.

In addition to serving as the head of the California School of Mechanical Arts, Merrill also became the head of the Wilmerding School of Industrial Arts in 1900. In 1912, he further stretched his talents by becoming the head of the Lux School. After Merrill retired, he served as mayor of Redwood City, California. George Merrill passed away on November 30, 1944, at the age of 78.

The California School of Mechanical Arts, Wilmerding School of Industrial Arts, Lux School of Industrial Training, and their graduates are a living memorial to Merrill.