Who is Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould from The Moor: A Mary Russell Novel and what is their importance?

Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould is Holmes' godfather. He is almost ninety, lives at Lew House, and is a much respected in member of the community. Baring-Gould has spent the best part of his life gathering the history of the moor and its people. He is described as a self-confident man, who is demanding, but who is also generous with those in need.