They must put something in the water...
When you venture into the topic of eccentrics, one of the most common places to have such people is schools. Lord knows why, but schools seem to spawn and/or attract absolute nutcases of the highest order. Luckily (Or unluckily, depending on how you look at it) I have had first-hand experience of such raving lunatics which I shall describe thusly. I left school nearly 5 years ago, but I will never forget these true eccentrics.

Mr Wright (RE): Of the crazy professor type, he would go off on wild tangents during lessons. Notable speeches included the history of basketball and why popcorn is one of the greatest inventions in modern history. Homework setting was also an artform, including "Read the bible" and "Watch Songs of Praise".
Had numerous nicknames for people in the class, such as "Haystacks" for someone with bleached blond hair. Once confiscated a yo-yo from a classmate and spent the entire lesson playing with it. Utterly crazy, but one of the most memorable teachers I've had. Got sacked a year later as the school got wind of his behaviour.

Miss Rowat (English): Would casually insult random people in the class, and start shouting for no reason whatsoever. After such outburst, she would carry on as normal. When we had her in Sixth Form, she would regularly say she couldn't be bothered to teach us and tell us to 'bugger off'. Not as crazy as some, but eccentric nonetheless

Mr Attrill (Physics): Was obsessed with physics to the point of hysteria. Would work himself up into such a frenzy when teaching us that he would actually shake, and his voice would have no constancy of pitch. He also once told us to run around the room to experience "The life of an atom". 4 people got injured.

Mr Longden (Chemistry): Would prepare his whole lesson in the lunch break, including writing everything on the blackboard. He would go absolutely potty if someone forgot their ruler, and once kept us back for a whole hour after school because 8 people forgot their ruler. However, he never raised his voice and had a scarily monotonous voice even when angry. Always wore a brown leather jacket.
(Dazzorifik is bored of b3ta, Mon 3 Nov 2008, 13:51, 3 replies)

Could it be the same guy?
We too were taught by a mr Richard Wright for RE. Topics of conversation included mesopotamia, civilisation with reference to sex magic, and whether or not one of our classmates had gotten his girl pregnant.

He was fired by the headmaster in dubious circumstances for something that wasn't his fault.

What school were you at?
(Foxinsockssir, Mon 3 Nov 2008, 20:23, closed)

Wilson's School
I vaguely remember him going on about Mesopotamia also, so if it isn't the same guy, he must have a twin!
(Dazzorifik is bored of b3ta, Tue 4 Nov 2008, 10:42, closed)

*click*
He also once told us to run around the room to experience "The life of an atom". 4 people got injured.

Glad I'm alone in the office - I nearly choked on my coffee...
( snee held his breath since, Tue 4 Nov 2008, 10:05, closed)