Carit Etlar, the better-known pen name of Carl Brosbøll[1] (August 7, 1816 – May 9, 1900), was a Danish author, known mostly for his 1853 book Gjøngehøvdingen about the eponymous Svend Poulsen Gønge.

[2] Brosbøll had poems and articles published in various magazines, before making his breakthrough with the 1839 novel Smuglerens Søn (the Smuggler's Son) under the pen name Carit Etlar.

[2] In 1853, he published Gjøngehøvdingen (The Partisan Chieftain), a fictionalized account of historical figure Svend Poulsen Gønge's exploits during the 17th century, centering on the 1658–1660 Dano-Swedish War.

It relied on entertaining and fast-paced adventure, with effective focus on action with the main character beating improbable odds.

[2] He had a fundamental fascination with everyday common life, writing with strong nationalistic overtones,[1] and in his time, Etlar's popular appeal was second only to B. S.