David R. Syiemlieh
David Reid Syiemlieh (born 22 January 1953) is an Indian academician and the former Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission of India. He studied in Dr Graham's Homes, Kalimpong (1958–1970) and graduated with history honours from St.Edmund's College, Shillong. This was followed with a master's degree in History (1976), MPhil (1980) and PhD (1985) from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He taught undergraduates in St. Edmund's College (1977–1979) before joining the Department of History, NEHU, in 1979. He rose in the profession to become a Professor in the Department of History. He held numerous positions in the University, including Dean of Students' Welfare; Head Department of History; Controller of Examinations; Registrar and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Syiemlieh, is a former vice-chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh. Career Author of several books and articles on the history of North East India, he is credited with discovering the date of death and other details of the last days of Tirot Sing, the Khasi chief of Nongkhlaw who resisted British colonial expansion and locating the grave in Calcutta of Thomas Jones, the Welsh missionary who first arrived in the Khasi Hills. David R Syiemlieh was Honorary Director of the Indian Council of