contention and discussion erupted on wikipedia forums on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was given to essjay , a british wikipedia administrator and author , having claim false credentials which were published in a paper . internet world wikipedia co - founder richt wales was travelling in england , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he published a statement that further data had come to his interest and he had asked the editor to resign his responsibilities of power of the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay announced on his user talk page that he had decommissioned and was no currently active on wikipedia .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.