Who is Cornelius van den Meer (Papa) from Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and what is their importance?

Cornelius was a hen-pecked husband. His first wife Henrika bossed him around because most of their money came from her inheritance. He loved Clara above everything, but did not seem to know her. He loved the idea of her, which is why he adored the beautiful portrait that seemed to capture that idea forever. He was fooled into marrying Margarethe, who squandered the rest of his money before his tulip business failed. Cornelius became depressed and took to his bed for months. He did recover after Clara was able to save him from debt and delighted in his grandchildren. The tulips trade was regulated, and he was able to make money from that endeavor as well.