Klaus Groth
Klaus Groth was a notable German poet born in 1819 in Heide, Germany. Initially trained as a teacher, he faced challenges in his academic pursuits due to illness but eventually earned a Ph.D. from the University of Bonn in 1856. Groth became a professor in Kiel in 1866 and is recognized for his contributions to Low German poetry. His literary works are characterized by their simple language and depict the idyllic peasant life of northern Germany, influenced by poets such as Johann Peter Hebel and Robert Burns. Groth’s poetry often captures both epic and lyrical themes and has been adapted to music, with some poems set to music by composer Johannes Brahms. Among his most significant works is the poetry collection "Quickborn," published in 1853, alongside his later volumes of short stories. Groth's writing reflects a deep connection to the culture and landscape of his native region, making his contributions significant in the realm of German literature.
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Klaus Groth
Poet
- Born: April 24, 1819
- Birthplace: Heide, Germany
- Died: June 1, 1899
Biography
Klaus Groth was born in Heide, Germany, in 1819. He studied at a seminary in Todern and later became a teacher at the girls’ school in Heide. In 1847, Groth went to Keil, Germany, to qualify for a post in higher education, but his studies were interrupted by an illness. He resumed his studies in 1853, and in 1856 he received a Ph.D. at the University of Bonn. In 1858, he became a private tutor in German literature and language. He was became a professor in Kiel in 1866.
Groth wrote poems in Low German. His poems show the influence of the German poet Johann Peter Hebel and the English poet Robert Burns. The poems are both epic and lyrical descriptions of country life in northern Germany. The language of Groth’s poems is simple and reflects the somewhat-idyllic peasant life of his native region. This simplicity has allowed them to be set to music. Some of Groth’s poems were adapted to music by his friend, the composer Johannes Brahms. Groth is best known for the poems published in Quickborn (1853), though he later published two volumes of short stories.