My uncle Tom West, who has died aged 92, spent many years as an English teacher in Boston, Lichfield and Grimsby, inspiring numerous pupils with a love of literature.

Later, in the 1970s, Tom seized the opportunity to join the staff of a forces lending library in London and received much gratitude from those serving overseas for a treasured “book from home”. Tom’s much-loved final position was as principal of St Deiniol’s Library (now Gladstone’s Library), in Hawarden, Flintshire, established in 1895 by the former prime minister William Gladstone with the donation of his personal library.

The youngest of three children of Una and Bruce West, Tom was born in Nottingham and spent his early years in the village of Epperstone, where his father was a GP. His father suffered shell shock during the Gallipoli campaign, resulting in Tom becoming a staunch pacifist. He attended Stamford school, becoming head boy, and graduated in history and English from Jesus College, Cambridge. He started out as a teacher in the 50s at Boston grammar school.

On retirement in the 90s Tom settled in Mansfield with his sister Jean, a fervent Labour party supporter. Tom himself was a party member all his life, corresponding with Labour politicians over the years; but he was never narrow-minded in his political views and accumulated an impressive collection of books on Winston Churchill.

In later years Tom became the heartbeat of Middleton House, an Abbeyfield residential home in Nottingham, delighting his fellow residents by introducing many activities. He received a special outstanding contribution award from Abbeyfield, which has pride of place at Middleton House.

Tom’s interests were eclectic. His knowledge of John Ruskin was immense, as was his understanding of literature, from Harry Potter to Shakespeare. Tom’s love for English choral music and cricket, particularly for his home county, Nottinghamshire, where he was an enthusiastic member, gave him a real passion for life.

Tom was naturally shy, but his call to ministry in the Church of England as a reader resulted in him leading pilgrimages and retreats, dedicating his final years to working alongside the clergy at St Peter’s church, Mansfield.

Passionate for justice, Tom supported those in any kind of trouble. He was a champion of the poor and proofread Bishop Frank Sargeant’s biography of Canon Peter Green, a parish priest in Manchester whose dedication to the most challenging part of Salford knew no bounds.

He was a lifelong reader of the Guardian, his treasured copies forming a mountain in his room at Middleton House.

Tom’s sisters, Helen (my mother) and Jean, both predeceased him. He is survived by me and my family, and by a niece.