the design by john pollard seddon – then diocesan architect for london – and edward beckitt lamb (son of edward buckton lamb) was based on earlier schemes that each had proposed separately, and was one of many extensions proposed for westminster abbey in late 19th and early 20th centuries by architects such as george gilbert scott, george john shaw lefevre, james fergusson, and henry travis. in particular, the clergy at westminster abbey were concerned that the church was becoming crowded with monuments, and more space was needed. some of the proposed designs were considered by a royal commission in 1891. the issue was given added impetus after the coronation of king edward vii and queen alexandra in august 1902 by a desire for westminster abbey to become a fitting imperial monument, to compete with the baroque st paul's cathedral where queen victoria had commemorated her diamond jubilee in 1897.