Charles Dickens was considered one of the first superstar writers.  But many don't know he suffered from  OCD and was epileptic.  Of which both inspired his writing.
Ah I did not know he had OCD. That's interesting.
Yes, he even rearranged hotel furniture when traveling.  He liked to explore the underbelly of society, the underprivileged and dark side of humans.
Yes the fact that he explores the dark side of humans is why I like his works. 
It wasn't all dark though, he was also a practical joker.  He had a fake bookcase filled with joke titles, such as a 9 volume set about the life of a cat.
lol The life of a cat must be a great read indeed.
His fascination with the underbelly of society began when he was young.  He had to take a job in a boot factory at age 12 because his father was sent to prison. He eventually went back to school but had to drop out again at age 15.
That must have been rough for him at such a young age. 
Yes, but that second job at age 15 is where he learned to write. Working as a junior clerk at a law office.  There he studied shorthand and used the skill to become a reporter.
You have an great ablility to make me like this guy more.