dispute and discussion began on internet pages on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was given to essjay , a prominent wikipedia administrator and editor , having claimed false credentials which were published in a journal . internet encyclopedia wikipedia co - chair tuberville wales was travelling in india , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he issued a announcement that further issues had come to his head and he had asked the editor to retire his positions of trust outside the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay posted on his user talk show that he had retired and was no longer operating on wikipedia .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.