Who is Baron Georg von Trapp from The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and what is their importance?

Known as the Captain because of his World War I submarine heroism, George starts out as Maria's employer and becomes her husband. Maria only hints at what Georg thinks. One never completely gets the sense that he is a rigid or as harsh as his Navy experience suggests, or as Baroness Hilda portrays him for Maria. He proves to be a gentle, patient man who has been dealt the tragic circumstance of his first wife's death. Left with seven children to care for, he does his best. He hires governesses, teachers, and nurses.