debate and discussion erupted on ip forums on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was given to essjay , a prominent website administrator and editor , having claimed false reports which were published in a magazine . internet encyclopedia wikipedia company - founder jimbo wales was travelling in india , and at 06 : 42 on january 3 he released a notification that further information had risen to his attention and he had asked the editor to resign his positions of control around the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay announced on his user talk page that he had retired and was no longer operating on wikipedia .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.