Who is Dr. Adriaen Pauw from The Botany of Desire and what is their importance?

Adriaen Pauw (1581 - 1653) was a Dutch politician of vast wealth and considerable influence. He was engaged in international politics and was also a tulip connoisseur, who, through the 1620s, owned nearly all bulbs of the famed Semper Augustus tulip—the text states he owned either eleven or twelve bulbs—in any case, all but one. Pauw refused to sell any of his bulbs, preferring beauty to profit. His gardens were arranged to best display the beautiful flowers. Open to many guests, Pauw's arousing display of the Semper Augustus flowers helped spark the tulipomania craze. The text suggests that rather than Pauw owning the flowers, they in a way owned him. Little biographical data about Pauw is offered in the text.