controversy and commentary erupted on internet forums on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was shown to essjay , a famous wikipedia administrator and editor , having claimed false results which were published in a periodical . digital encyclopedia project co - founder tuberville wales was travelling in australia , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he issued a message that further information had come to his attention and he had asked the editor to resign his statements of trust within the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay stated on his customer talk page that he had retired and was no anymore active on wikipedia .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.