Q:

an especial usage of the construction" much of"

...He is much of a gentlemen, and he has traveled enough to throw off that...

When or in which situation or condition would you rather use the bold part construction and could you please show me a synonym phrase or word for it?
Thanks in advance 

A:

In my opinion, much of is used when you want people to see the importance of the word following "much of". For example,   
He is much of a traveler, than a shepherd.
The example above says that the subject is both a shepherd and a traveler. But he is more into travelling than in being a shepherd.

