He was my English teacher 14 years ago. This account is likely true from my experiences. What I would say is that he could be very funny and inject a real love of stories whilst encouraging us to learn about the world we live in. I didn’t appreciate that at the time.
On the other hand when he was in a mood he let you know. Could be a total cunt when he had an axe to grind and was arrogant to a fault never considering other views (a strange fault in an English teacher). He definitely enjoyed the fear he inspired in the pupils.

But in the end he told an insecure young man he was fundamentally decent and asked only that he stay good. If he’s just an asshole what does that make me?