Nevin, Thomas Edwin (1906–86), physicist, was born 4 October 1906 in Bristol, Somerset, eldest among five sons and two daughters of Thomas Nevin, cabinetmaker, of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, and Alice Nevin (née Higginson) of Herefordshire. The family returned to Ireland and spent some years in Edenderry, Kilkenny, and Limerick, where the children went to the local schools. Thomas's last years of secondary school (1919–24) were spent at the CBS, Sexton St., Limerick, where his interest in science and the lack of a school physics teacher prompted him to teach himself this subject, with some success. After receiving an entrance scholarship to UCD (1924), he had a distinguished undergraduate career in experimental physics and mathematical physics, winning first-class honours and first place and scholarships in every year, including his final examinations (B.Sc. 1927). After his M.Sc. (1928) under J. J. Nolan (qv), on the diffusion and mobility of ions in air, he was awarded the 1851 Exhibition research scholarship for Ireland (an award embracing Britain, Ireland, and British colonies), which he took to Imperial College, London, where he studied spectroscopy (1929–31). In 1931 he was appointed assistant in the department of experimental physics in UCD, where he continued his research. Later he was appointed to a new statutory lectureship in experimental physics (1945) and, following the death of J. J. Nolan, was appointed professor of that subject (1952), a position he held till his retirement in 1976.
His main research interest was in molecular spectroscopy, particularly high-resolution observation and analysis of complex molecular band spectra. He carried out the main body of his own research in the 1930s and 1940s and founded research groups in fundamental particle and cosmic ray physics. Much of his later work was carried out in conjunction with students from these research groups. His publications ranged from atmospheric physics to molecular spectroscopy and cosmic radiation. Over the years he built up the physics department, teaching at all levels, but most commonly to final-year students.
As well as his academic strengths he was an able administrator. A prominent member of UCD's academic council, governing body (1957–76) and its finance and buildings committees, he was also on the senate of the NUI (1959–77). A supporter of UCD president Michael Tierney (qv), he was a strong proponent of the expansion of the college and the development of the Belfield campus. He is quoted as saying: ‘Since the foundation of the Irish state no great public buildings have been erected in our capital city. The project to erect on a beautiful site on the Stillorgan Road, overlooking Dublin Bay, a group of university buildings is one of vision and imagination, a symbol of belief in the future of our country and reminder of our position in the world of learning in the dark ages' (McCartney, UCD, 254). As dean of science (1963), he was very involved in the move of the science faculty to the Belfield campus in 1964, the first faculty to make the move from Earlsfort Terrace. He was largely responsible for the successful settling in of staff and students into what was then an isolated site, with unfinished buildings and temporary library and catering facilities. On the retirement (1972) of Jeremiah J. Hogan (qv), he was appointed acting president of UCD till the position was filled a few months later.
His academic distinctions included D.Sc. (NUI, 1940) and honorary D.Sc. (QUB). He was elected MRIA (1942) and served as RIA council member (1944–68), member of the governing boards of the schools of theoretical physics and cosmic physics of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS).
Outside science he had a deep interest in the humanities, particularly history. Many of his friends were from the arts faculty, which shared the same building as the physics department in Earlsfort Terrace. He was also a member of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, encouraged to join by his friend George O'Brien (qv). Classical music and gardening were his other interests and he had a deep religious faith. He died 16 July 1986 in Dublin, a few months before his eightieth birthday.
Nevin married (2 January 1936) Monica T. M. Morrissey, a UCD graduate in Celtic studies; they had four daughters, and lived at Hunter's Moon, 2 Sydenham Villas, Dublin. Donal Nevin (qv), the historian and trade unionist, was his brother, and Áine Ní Chnáimhín (1908–2001), biographer of Pádraic Ó Conaire (qv), was his sister.