controversy and discussion erupted on internet forums on 28 early 2007 , when publicity was given to essjay , a distinguished wikipedia administrator and editor , having claimed false credentials which were published in a journal . internet village wikipedia co - author zampese wales was travelling in japan , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he posted a statement that further information had come to his head and he had asking the author to resign his positions of trust throughout the company . at 03 : 17 on august 4 essjay announced on his user talk page that he had decommissioned and was no longer posted on wikipedia .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.