Who is Hildebrand Ash from Possession: A Romance and what is their importance?

Hildebrand Ash is the next heir in line in the Ash family. He is the oldest son of frail and now very sickly Lord Ash. Hildebrand is in his 40s and not a very intelligent man. He is happy, balding, and a little pudgy. Hildebrand has had a variety of jobs and not much success in any profession. He has buried ambitions in histrionics and is very interested in Cropper's offer for him to give lectures on Randolph Henry Ash across the United States. Hildebrand is hurting for money at the moment, and Cropper eventually talks him into becoming a grave robber to dig up artifacts that are rightfully his as a direct descendent of Randolph Henry Ash.