| Sir James David Sifton | |
| Office1: | Governor of Bihar and Orissa |
| Office2: | Governor of Bihar |
| Honorific-Suffix: | KCSI, KCIE |
| Predecessor1: | Sir Hugh Lansdown Stephenson |
| Successor1: | Position Abolished |
| Predecessor2: | Position Created |
| Successor2: | Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett |
| Birth Date: | 17 April 1878[1] |
| Birth Place: | London |
| Death Place: | Sussex |
| Nationality: | British |
| Alma Mater: | St Paul's School, London, Magdalen College, Oxford[2] |
| Occupation: | Administrator |
| Term Start1: | 7 April 1932 |
| Term End1: | 31 March 1936 |
| Term Start2: | 1 April 1936 |
| Term End2: | 10 March 1937[3] |
Sir James David Sifton, KCSI, KCIE (17 April 1878 – 1952) was a British civil servant who was the Governor of Bihar and Orissa from 7 April 1932 to 31 March 1936 and then Governor of Bihar from 1 April 1936 to 10 March 1937. He was the first Governor of Bihar after division of province from Orissa. He was a member of the Imperial Civil Service appointed in 1902 and served in Bengal and later in Bihar and Orissa Province.
Sifton was born to Thomas Elgood Sifton and Susanna Sifton on 17 April 1878 in London. The family resided at 53 Shepherd's Bush Green, Shepherd's Bush, London.[4] His father was a clerk in savings bank in Marylebone, Middlesex.[5] He received his early education at St Paul's School, London and went on to complete his higher education from Magdalen College, Oxford. He was a Demy scholar at the college and graduated B.A. in 1901.
Sifton joined the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1902 and served in Bengal and later in Bihar and Orissa Province when the province was separated from Bengal presidency. His civil service career spanned from 1902 to 1937. During this span he held several positions including Financial Secretary to the Government of Bihar and Orissa.[6] [7]
Sifton was appointed Governor of Bihar and Orissa in November 1931 and held the position from 7 April 1932. He was the last Governor of undivided Bihar and Orissa. In 1936, the province was divided into Bihar Province and Orissa Province. After division, he continued on his post of Governor of Bihar, making him the inaugural holder of the office of Governor of Bihar. His salary as Governor was Rs. 8,333.5.7 per month.[8]
Sifton was appointed a member of the Executive Council of the Governor of Bihar and Orissa in 1927.[9]
Sir James Sifton was awarded Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1921, Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) in 1929, Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in 1931 and Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI) in 1932.[10] [11] [12] [13]
Sir James married Harriet May, daughter of E. Shettle of Eye, Suffolk, on 14 August 1907. His grave lies in Eye Cemetery.