Marley was a wealthy business owner who was known for being stingy and selfish. He had a partner named Scrooge who was also his best friend. After Marley's death, he appeared to Scrooge as a ghost and warned him about the consequences of his greedy actions. Scrooge was deeply affected by Marley's message and vowed to change his ways, ultimately becoming a kind and generous person. In this way, Marley played a pivotal role in transforming Scrooge's character.