Who is Walter Shandy from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy and what is their importance?

Walter Shandy is Tristram's unconventional father. His habit of philosophizing and arguing about every subject usually finds him at odds with everyone else in the room. However, he seems to enjoy such conflict and even looks to create it. When he is arguing with his wife in what he calls his "beds of justice," he cannot accept that his wife agrees with his every word so continues to make his point even though continues to say that he is completely right. In fact, there seems to be little affection between Walter and his wife.