He was a very well-read, thoughtful man, and agreeable.
Greek and Italian were his first favourites, but he was well read in English literature and in French, and acquired some knowledge of Spanish.
A cop who I now know to be Inspector H of A Constabulary turns to me - A well-read man?
He was well read in German literature, Heine and Schiller being his favourites, and the study of the German masters and the old classical writers of Iceland opened his eyes to the corrupt state of Icelandic poetry and showed him the way to make it better.
It is no grand survey or theory, but we are offered personal snapshots of the experience of a very educated, well-read scholar.