> Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like".

That’s a straw man. Everyone is a jerk sometimes.

There have been great people who changed the world without a predominantly jerky reputation. I don’t find much evidence Einstein was considered one, for example.

His letter to Marie Curie is a good read. https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/19/einstein-curie-lett...