Samuel Conway
Chemist, Anthrocon chairman, and furry fandom storyteller.
Samuel Charles Conway (born June 4, 1965) is an American organic chemist who has worked in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agrochemical research. He is also widely known within the furry fandom as the long-serving chairman and chief organizer of Anthrocon, one of the largest furry conventions in the world, and as a storyteller, auctioneer, and author.
- born
- June 4, 1965
- field
- Organic chemistry (pharmaceutical, biomedical, agrochemical)
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Chairman of Anthrocon; furry fandom activities; storytelling as 'Uncle Kage'; volunteer emergency coordination; bone marrow donation
Lore & Background
Conway earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Dartmouth College in 1991, with a thesis on the attempted generation of indolyne. He has held research positions at the Food and Drug Administration, Bionetics, Avid Therapeutics, Message Pharmaceuticals, and Cerexagri, and as of July 2013 was working near Raleigh, North Carolina. He has authored eleven professional publications and two patents, one for hepatitis B compounds and another for recyclable packaging.
Conway entered the furry fandom at the 1989 Worldcon and became chairman of Anthrocon in 1999 after being a guest of honor in 1998. Under his leadership, the convention grew from 842 to 2,489 attendees by 2006, moved to Philadelphia, then to Pittsburgh. He handles public relations, hotel contracts, finances, and media access, generally discouraging members from engaging with mass media due to past sensationalist coverage.
Conway performs as 'Uncle Kage' in annual storytelling sessions at Anthrocon and other conventions. He has also served as an auctioneer, raising over $66,000 for wildlife charities at Anthrocon alone. He is a published author of short stories, with works nominated for Ursa Major Awards. In 2012, he helped raise over $21,000 to keep a Pittsburgh restaurant that welcomed furries from closing.
Reader's Guide
Samuel Conway's significance lies in his dual career as a research chemist and a central figure in the furry fandom. As chairman of Anthrocon since 1999, he transformed a small gathering into one of the world's largest furry conventions, navigating growth, relocation, and media relations. His approach to media—initially restrictive, later selectively open—reflects a pragmatic response to sensationalist coverage. Conway's storytelling, auctioneering, and charity work have further cemented his role as a community leader. His legacy includes not only the convention's expansion but also his contributions to fandom culture through entertainment and fundraising. Outside fandom, his scientific publications and patents, along with his early bone marrow donation, demonstrate a broader commitment to research and volunteerism.
Did You Know?
- Conway was an experimental bone marrow donor in 1990 for a 4-year-old with Hunter syndrome; the operation was the first of its kind involving an unrelated donor and was successful.
- He has raised over $66,000 for local wildlife charities through auctions at Anthrocon alone.
- Conway's stage name 'Uncle Kage' derives from his fandom name Kagemushi Goro, a reference to Kagemusha.
- In 2012, he helped raise over $21,000 to keep a Pittsburgh restaurant that welcomed furries from closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Samuel Conway in the context of 'Criminals And Outlaws 1-24'?
Despite the series title, Samuel Charles Conway (b. June 4, 1965) is not a criminal or outlaw. He is an American organic chemist specializing in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agrochemical research, and he is best known as the long-serving chairman of Anthrocon, one of the largest furry conventions.
What are Samuel Conway's 'powers' or primary role?
He has no fictional superpowers; his real-world roles include organic chemistry research, chairing and organizing Anthrocon, storytelling under the name 'Uncle Kage,' auctioneering, and volunteer emergency coordination.
How does Samuel Conway's story end?
There is no criminal narrative to resolve. As a living person, he continues his work in chemistry and his ongoing leadership of the Anthrocon community, including bone marrow donation and volunteer service.
Why is Samuel Conway included in a 'criminals and outlaws' reference?
He is not actually a criminal; the inclusion appears to be a mislabeling. His significance lies in his decades of service as Anthrocon's chief organizer, his storytelling, and his contributions to the furry fandom and broader volunteer work.
What is Samuel Conway's nationality and professional field?
He is American and works in organic chemistry with a focus on pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agrochemical research, while simultaneously dedicating extensive time to convention organizing and community storytelling.
More in Criminals And Outlaws 1-24
Elsewhere in the Criminals And Outlaws universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record