Klaus Groth, the Person
Johann Groth* — born as the son of a Dithmarschen miller on April 24, 1819, in Heide, Holstein, and died on June 1, 1899, in Kiel— is considered by many Germans the most important Low Saxon (Low German) poet. Furthermore, Groth is one of the most important Low Saxon philologists and language activists of the 19th century, one of those who endeavored to save and revive the old Saxon language of Northern Germany and the Eastern Netherlands. He was keenly aware of the then still intact cultural and linguistic “Low German” (i.e. Low Frankish and Low Saxon) continuum from French Flanders to the Eastern Baltic region. Groth wrote much poetry in folksong modes. His most popular works are found in his collection Quickborn (“Refreshing Wellspring,” 1856) and »Vær de Gærn« (“For the Kids,”1858). The best-known among
these are the poems “Min Modersprak”, “Min Jehann” and “Matten Has’”. [Click here for more about Groth.]
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* “Klaus” rhymes with “house” and “Groth” with “boat.”
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