I think he was important in the sense that the generation that looked to him, were looking for a daddy mentor. Someone to show them how to get through life. Anyone could have said it in plain words, but for some reason humanity has a tendency to put extra importance on things when basic information is wrapped in metaphors and flowers. Tickles a "wow" receptor or something.

But yeah I'm going to agree with @ways_wilderness his name in popularity seems mostly lost these days.