In 1838 the Nelson Monument Committee�s competition for the design of the Nelson Memorial attracted 124 designs, including 40 models.

The entries which varied considerably were exhibited in the gallery of Mr Alexander Rainy�s house - the house built by John Nash for himself. John Britton proposed a Gothic cenotaph to house a naval museum and John Goldicutt submitted a number of suggestions both during and after the competition.

Ecclesiastical architect William Railton won the competition with a design for a giant Corinthian column.