Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: In 1828 he became interested in politics and joined a circle of William Shakespeare aficionados which later on probably became the GieÃ en and Darmstadt section of the `` Gesellschaft fÃ 1\/4 r Menschenrechte '' ( Society for Human Rights ) .
Simplified: In 1828 he became interested in politics and joined a group which later on probably became the GieÃ en and Darmstadt section of the `` Gesellschaft fÃ 1\/4 r Menschenrechte '' ( Society for Human Rights ) .