Who is The Village Atheist from Spoon River Anthology and what is their importance?

The village Atheist informs the reader that he was a non-believer throughout his life. He described himself as argumentative and educated in the arguments against God and the afterlife. Late in life, when the Atheist was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he tells us that he read the Upanishads and the "poetry of Jesus," which completely changed his perspective. He said this newfound wisdom kindled a spiritual fire within him and successfully led him through the shadow realm of death. His last message to the reader and to all who live "through the senses" is that immortality is not a gift, but rather an achievement obtained only by those who strive mightily for it.