Who is Ben Fagan from Big Sur and what is their importance?

Ben Fagan is a character in the book, "Dharma Bums". He is also one of the first people Kerouac reconnects with in San Francisco. Fagan is a poet and a true friend. Fully aware of Jack's tendency to drink for days on end, Fagan sits with Kerouac in the park and watches over him while he sleeps it off.