controversy and discussion erupted on internet forums on 28 february 2007 , when publicity was given to essjay , a distinguished wikipedia administrator and contributor , having obtained false credentials which were published in a magazine . website review site co - founder jimbo jones was travelling in india , and at 06 : 42 on march 3 he emitted a statement that further events had come to his attention and he had asked the editor to resign his positions of trust to the community . at 03 : 17 on march 4 essjay announced on his user talk list that he had resigned and was no longer active on site .
Wikipedia was launched by Jimbo Wales.