Who is Tom Canty from The Prince and the Pauper and what is their importance?

Tom Canty was born on the same day as Edward, Prince of Wales, in the sixteenth century. His family was extremely poor..... and could not afford a child, and thus, didn't want him. Tom was a beggar, and his father was a thief. He slept on the floor of a filthy tenement and was beaten daily by his father and grandmother.

A priest who lived in the tenement taught Tom to read and write. He then developed a desire to see a real prince. When he met Prince Edward, the two boys accidentally switched identities, and when the real prince seemed to have disappeared, Tom began to enjoy the excitement and comfort of his pampered position. At first, Tom was worried about Prince Edward. Over time, however, he decided he'd like to really be Prince Edward.