About
Jimmy Wales is an American internet entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia. He also founded Fandom, a for-profit wiki hosting service. Wales is a proponent of open-source knowledge and collaborative content creation. His work has significantly impacted the way information is accessed and shared online.
Career Timeline
Wikipedia Launched
Wales co-founded Wikipedia as a free, collaborative encyclopedia. The project quickly gained traction as a revolutionary approach to knowledge sharing.
Wikipedia Reaches Mainstream Recognition
Wikipedia became one of the most visited websites globally, establishing Wales as a prominent internet entrepreneur. The platform's growth demonstrated the power of collaborative content creation.
Time Person of Year
Time Magazine's recognition of 'You' (internet users) highlighted Wikipedia's impact on democratizing information. Wales was featured prominently in coverage about Web 2.0 and collaborative platforms.
Fandom (Wikia) Growth
Wales's for-profit wiki hosting service Wikia (later Fandom) expanded significantly, providing commercial success alongside Wikipedia's non-profit mission. This diversified his influence in the wiki ecosystem.
WikiTribune Launch
Wales launched WikiTribune to combat fake news, but the project struggled to gain traction. The initiative's limited success showed the challenges of replicating Wikipedia's success.
Internet Pioneer Legacy
Wales remains respected as Wikipedia's co-founder and advocate for free knowledge, though his personal wealth is modest. His influence is primarily cultural rather than financial, with Wikipedia remaining his defining achievement.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026