Resonance Raman spectra and absolute cross sections have been measured for cresyl violet in aqueous solution and bound to the surface Of SiO2 Colloidal nanoparticles. The absorption spectra of cresyl violet on SiO2 have previously been interpreted to show formation of H-type dimers on the surface. The spectra of the monomers in solution are simulated to obtain the excited-state geometry change along each normal mode and the electronic spectral broadening parameters. The spectra of the dimers on SiO2 are then simulated with a model that assumes transition dipole coupling between the vibronic transitions on the two monomers. The simulations require increases in both the electronic homogeneous line width and the inhomogeneous line width upon binding to the colloid. The general features of the resonance Raman spectra are reproduced fairly well, but significant differences in the relative intensities of certain Raman lines upon binding to the surface suggest specific vibrational or vibronic effects not considered in this simple model.