Who is Uncle Frederick Fairlie from The Woman in White and what is their importance?

Uncle Frederick Fairlie is described as an effeminate, whining, self-proclaimed invalid. His character is representative of self-indulgence in the extreme. Frederick relies on his invalid status to excuse himself from having to decide on or think about anything outside of his padded room. Though he serves as the appointed guardian to his nieces, Laura and Marian, he dismisses their pleas for help as intrusions. His behavior is responsible for Laura's miserable marriage, and he later enables Sir Percival Glyde and Count Fosco to rob her of her name and inheritance. Uncle Frederick dies of paralysis.