Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-193) was in foster care as a child before he was sent to boarding school.

In this The Conversation article, academic Emma Linford talks about Doyle’s difficult childhood and that his father, Charles Doyle, was an alcoholic who spend time in various mental health facilities.

His childhood is what influenced Doyle to represent Sherlock Holmes “as a man others can relate to – he battles with drug addiction, loneliness and depression. His genius thrives in part because of these vulnerabilities, not despite them” writes Linford.

Linford goes on to give several examples of Sherlock Holmes stories which “examine male characters facing emotional catastrophe, betrayal or moral dilemmas.”

https://theconversation.com/arthur-conan-doyle-explored-mens-mental-health-through-his-sherlock-holmes-stories-246728