Final answer:
Silas Weir Mitchell is the neurologist known for prescribing 'rest cures' to those suffering from depression. Charlotte Perkins Gilman experienced this treatment, which heavily influenced her writing of 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The famous neurologist who prescribed "rest cures" for those suffering from depression is Silas Weir Mitchell. This treatment method required patients, mainly women, to abstain from activities such as reading, writing, or any intellectual engagement and confined them to bed rest. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was subjected to this treatment by Dr. Mitchell after the birth of her daughter which led to her depression. Her negative experience with his rest cure was a significant factor that inspired her to write "The Yellow Wallpaper." Gilman's story not only explores the psychological aspects of her protagonist but also critiques the societal and marital dynamics of the time. It reflects Gilman's personal journey towards identifying her true passions in literary and political work, which ultimately became her salvation and cure.