Quick! What's a "tasteful" cuss word or insult?

I’m writing an essay about how King Leopold II was an epic douchebag in his treatment of the Congo Free State in the late 19th century. My opening sentence is something like this:

In the 19th Century, nearly the entire continent of Africa was hungrily carved up like a titanic cake by various European powers who wished to get ahead of the colonial curve. King Leopold II, the legendary bearded…

..and that’s all I have. I want to refer to King Leopold II as the legendary bearded asshole, but I want to do it somewhat tactfully, since this is a relatively serious paper. Any suitable substitute words are greatly appreciate. Thanks, my lovelies.