Writer, born in Heide-Holstein, N Germany. An autodidact and a teacher by profession, he founded ‘Plattdeutsch’ (Low German) dialect literature, and as its most notable lyrical exponent was instrumental in making Plattdeutsch acceptable as a literary language. The songs, ballads, and tales of Quickborn (1852, 1871) provide an engaging picture of his native region. In 1853 he co-authored with Karl Müllenhoff a basic grammar of Plattdeutsch. Groth's autobiography appeared in 1891.