He is known for unearthing a sarcophagus from the hillocks of Pallavaram in Tamil Nadu.
He was Professional Adviser to Government on the conservation of ancient monuments; Member for Archaeology on the Sub-Committee on the Public Services Commission in 1887.
Rea was deputed to examine and report on certain Pre-historic burial places in Madras, Chingleput, and Kodaikanal in July 1887.
Rea worked as assistant editor, "Epigraphia Indica" and Record of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1888.
[3] His body was buried in Wesleyan Church, Bangalore on 5 February 1924.