Charles E. Merrill Jr. was educated at Harvard College, completed a Fulbright scholarship and served in the military during World War II. In 1957, he founded the Commonwealth School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he served as headmaster until 1981. He also held several high academic posts throughout the country including chairman of the Board of Trustees of Morehouse College. Merrill donated widely to historically black colleges, liberal arts colleges and endowed Merrill College at the University of California-Santa Cruz. Merrill was a close friend of Dr. King who was a Morehouse Board member, visiting King’s father when he was hospitalized in Boston, sending generous contributions and offering personal support and encouragement. “What I like so much about your letter,” King once replied, “is that it makes me feel like a human being, not a symbol.”