Reportedly, Commissioner Eckert of baseball, who was let go after 3 years of inefficiency in 1968, was chosen after a long deadlock because people got him confused with General Zuckert, a man who was also a general and more likely to know something about baseball.
This is in pre-1900 because it's more likely to happen before mass media and stuff, but post-1900 items are also welcome.
Your challenge is to have a position of real import given to someone becasue a name was gotten wrong, and they chose the wrong person. hey must stay on the job a minimum of 2 years, but could be for life. It can be any country.
Bonus points if it's a major nominee for the President's cabinet in the US or Prime Minister's in Britain. Super-duper intergalactic bonus points if after a deadlock a Pope, President, or Prime Minister (or king in case of elective monarchies) is actually chosen and serves because people got confused when choosing the person for this office. (Of course, President or VP is especially tricky because they'd have to run, too.)
And, of course, try to explore what would happen.
This is in pre-1900 because it's more likely to happen before mass media and stuff, but post-1900 items are also welcome.
Your challenge is to have a position of real import given to someone becasue a name was gotten wrong, and they chose the wrong person. hey must stay on the job a minimum of 2 years, but could be for life. It can be any country.
Bonus points if it's a major nominee for the President's cabinet in the US or Prime Minister's in Britain. Super-duper intergalactic bonus points if after a deadlock a Pope, President, or Prime Minister (or king in case of elective monarchies) is actually chosen and serves because people got confused when choosing the person for this office. (Of course, President or VP is especially tricky because they'd have to run, too.)
And, of course, try to explore what would happen.