Who is Herb from Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady and what is their importance?

Herbert King is Florence's father and Mama's husband. He is an Englishman and fairly well-educated, and he is a musician and bartender when Mama meets and marries him. Herb helps educate Florence and he eventually quits his jobs and spends his days reading. Herb is fairly forward-thinking and helps Florence define the term "malkin." He is one of her three caregivers who greatly influence her life.