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{{SHORTDESC: American Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Wikipedia}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name        = Jimmy Wales
| name        = Jimmy Wales
| image        = Jimmy Wales.jpg
| image        = Jimmy Wales.jpg
| caption      =Jimmy Wales in 2006, The founder of [[Wikipedia]] founder.
| caption      =Jimmy Wales in 2006, The founder of [[Wikipedia]].
| occupation  = Entrepreneur
| occupation  = Entrepreneur
| notable_works = [[Wikipedia]]
| notable_works = [[Wikipedia]]
| awards      =  
| awards      =  
|website=https://jimmywales.com|nationality=American|birth_place=[[Alabama]], [[USA]]|birth_date=August 7, 1966|Known_for=[[Wikipedia]] co founding|children=1}}
|website=https://jimmywales.com|nationality=American|birth_place=[[Alabama]], [[USA]]|birth_date=August 7, 1966|Known_for=[[Wikipedia]] co founding|children=1}}
'''Jimmy Wales''' is a prominent American internet entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of [[Wikipedia]], the world's largest and most widely used online encyclopedia. He was born on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama. Wales's early life was marked by a strong academic inclination; he attended Auburn University, where he studied finance, and later earned a master's degree in finance from the University of Alabama.
'''Jimmy Donal "Jimbo" Wales'''; born August 7, 1966<ref>{{cite web|title=Jimmy Wales's benevolent Wikipedia wisdom|url=http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=227389}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=Jimmy Wales|url=http://www.clerk-of-the-court.com/default.asp|publisher=Monroe, Florida's County Clerk website (Marriage License Database)|accessdate=May 21, 2008}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/currentbiography2006clif|title=Current Biography Yearbook|date=February 28, 2007|publisher=H. W. Wilson|isbn=978-0-8242-10748|editor-last=Clifford Thompson}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=Who's Who In America: Diamond Edition|date=October 12, 2005|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|isbn=978-0-8379-69909|edition=60th}}
</ref> is an American-born [[British people|British]] [[Internet]] [[entrepreneur]]. He is one of the people who started [[Wikipedia]] and [[Wikia]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikimedia_press_releases/500,000_Wikipedia_articles&oldid=473206|title=Wikipedia: 50 languages, 1/2 million articles |publisher=[[Wikimedia Foundation]] }}</ref> "''The Wikipedia project was founded in January 2001 by Internet entrepreneur Jimmy Wales and philosopher Larry Sanger,''" quoted from the April 25, 2004 first-ever press release issued by the Wikimedia Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Press_releases/January_2003&oldid=93032067 |title= Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia|publisher=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title= Brain scan: The free-knowledge fundamentalist
|url=http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11484062}}</ref>


Wales's foray into the internet began in the late 1990s when he co-founded Bomis, a web portal and search engine. However, it was his vision for an open and collaborative platform for sharing knowledge that led to the creation of [[Wikipedia]]. In January 2001, Wales, alongside Larry Sanger, launched Wikipedia, which allowed users to create, edit, and update articles in a wiki format. This groundbreaking model revolutionized how information was compiled and disseminated, making knowledge more accessible to people around the globe.  
Wales was born in [[Huntsville, Alabama]], [[United States]]. There, he went to [[Randolph School]]. He then earned bachelor’s and master’s [[degree (school)|degree]]s in [[finance]]. In 1996, he and two partners started [[Bomis]]. Bomis was an [[Internet]] portal with [[entertainment]] and [[adult]] content. The company gave money for [[Nupedia]] (2000–2003) and, after that, Wikipedia.


The success of Wikipedia was a testament to the power of community-driven content. Within a few years, it grew exponentially, surpassing millions of articles in multiple languages. The platform operates under the principles of free access and open editing, reflecting Wales's belief in the democratization of knowledge. He famously stated, “Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That's what we're doing.”
== Personal life ==
[[File:Christine and Jimmy Wales.jpg|thumb|right|Jimmy Wales with his second wife Christine]]
Wales has been [[marriage|married]] three times. He also has three children. Jimmy is of Jewish ancestry<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.q-and-a.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1042 |title=Q & A }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2008/09/jimmy_wales |title=Jimmy Wales: Celebrities: Wmagazine.com}}</ref> When he was 20, Wales married Pam. Pam was a worker at a store in [[Alabama]]. He met his second wife, Christine Rohan, through a friend in [[Chicago]].They had a daughter before their marriage ended. Wales moved to [[San Diego]] in 1998.  


In 2003, Wales co-founded the [[Wikimedia Foundation]], a non-profit organization that supports Wikipedia and its sister projects, such as Wiktionary, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikibooks. Under his leadership, the foundation has focused on maintaining Wikipedia's neutrality and fostering an environment where content is created and edited without commercial interests.  
In 2002, he moved again to [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web
|url= http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003525473_btwikipedia15.html|title=Business & Technology: He's the "God-King," but you can call him Jimbo}}</ref> In 2007, he still lived there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/magazine/18wwln-domains-.html?_r=2&oref=slogin|title=Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia - New York Times}}</ref> As of 2012 he lives in [[London]], [[England]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia chief to advise Whitehall on policy|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/wikipedia/9137339/Jimmy-Wales-Wikipedia-chief-to-advise-Whitehall-on-policy.html}}</ref> In 2012, Wales married [[Kate Garvey]], a government worker for [[Tony Blair]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wiki wedding: Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales marries Tony Blair's former aide|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9591824/Wiki-wedding-Wikipedia-founder-Jimmy-Wales-marries-Tony-Blairs-former-aide.html}}</ref> Wales has three daughters: one with Rohan and two with Garvey.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-life-in-the-day-jimmy-wales-d9nc39bbb |title=A life in the day: Jimmy Wales}}</ref>


Wales is a strong advocate for free knowledge and open-source principles, frequently speaking at conferences and events about the importance of user-generated content in the digital age. He has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving internet access and education, particularly in developing countries.
Wales says that he follows the ideas of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]]. He also says that he is a [[libertarianism|libertarian]] to some extent, meaning that he thinks people should be allowed to do whatever they want so long as they do not hurt others.


Throughout his career, Wales has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to technology and education. In 2006, he was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He has also been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and has received honorary degrees from various institutions.
== Career ==
On January 15, 2001, with [[Larry Sanger]] and others, Wales started  Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free, [[open content]] encyclopedia. It grew and became popular very quickly. As Wikipedia became known to the public, he became the project’s promoter and [[spokesperson]]. He is often called a co-founder of Wikipedia, though he has argued against the "co-" part. He said he was the only founder.<ref name="Brian Bergstein">{{cite web
|first=Brian
|last=Bergstein
|authorlink=Brian Bergstein
|title=Sanger says he co-started Wikipedia
|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17798723/
|publisher=[[MSNBC]]
|agency=Associated Press
|date=March 25, 2007
|accessdate=March 26, 2007
|quote=The nascent Web encyclopedia Citizendium springs from Larry Sanger, a philosophy Ph.D. who counts himself as a co-founder of Wikipedia, the site he now hopes to usurp. The claim does not seem particularly controversial—Sanger has long been cited as a co-founder. Yet the other founder, Jimmy Wales, is not happy about it.}}</ref><ref name="Parmy Olson">{{cite web
|first=Parmy
|last=Olson
|title=A New Kid On The Wiki Block
|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/10/18/sanger-wikipedia-citizendium-face-cx_po_1018autofacescan02.html
|work=Forbes
|date=October 18, 2006
|accessdate=March 28, 2009
|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121206005058/http://www.forbes.com/2006/10/18/sanger-wikipedia-citizendium-face-cx_po_1018autofacescan02.html
|archivedate=December 6, 2012
|url-status=live
}}</ref>


In addition to his work with Wikipedia, Wales has explored other projects related to technology and information sharing, including initiatives focused on online privacy, misinformation, and media literacy. He continues to be an influential figure in discussions surrounding the future of information access, the role of technology in society, and the ongoing evolution of collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms.
Wales is on the Board of Trustees of the [[Wikimedia Foundation]]. In 2004, he co-founded [[Wikia]], a [[wiki]]-hosting service which tries to make money. In 2015, Wales started the [[Jimmy Wales Foundation]] for [[Freedom of speech|freedom of expression]], to try to help bloggers or internet activists who are in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tech/Jimmy-Wales-wants-Wikipedia-to-change-the-world-again-403592|title=Jimmy Wales wants Wikipedia to change the world, again|work=The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com}}</ref>


As a public figure, Wales emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital space, urging users to be critical consumers of information and to engage in the collaborative process that Wikipedia exemplifies. His vision and leadership have left a lasting impact on the way information is created and shared, making him a key figure in the history of the internet and digital knowledge.
== References ==
 
{{Reflist}}
==References==
[[Category:Entrepreneurs]]
[[bn:জিমি ওয়েলস]]
{{SHORTDESC:American internet entrepreneur}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 31 December 2024

Jimmy Wales
Jimmy Wales in 2006, The founder of Wikipedia.
Birthday August 7, 1966
Birthplace Alabama, USA
Nationality American
Occupation Entrepreneur
Children(s) 1
Known for Wikipedia co founding
Notable Works Wikipedia
Website https://jimmywales.com

Jimmy Donal "Jimbo" Wales; born August 7, 1966[1] [2] [3] [4] is an American-born British Internet entrepreneur. He is one of the people who started Wikipedia and Wikia.[5] "The Wikipedia project was founded in January 2001 by Internet entrepreneur Jimmy Wales and philosopher Larry Sanger," quoted from the April 25, 2004 first-ever press release issued by the Wikimedia Foundation.[6][7]

Wales was born in Huntsville, Alabama, United States. There, he went to Randolph School. He then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance. In 1996, he and two partners started Bomis. Bomis was an Internet portal with entertainment and adult content. The company gave money for Nupedia (2000–2003) and, after that, Wikipedia.

Personal life

Jimmy Wales with his second wife Christine

Wales has been married three times. He also has three children. Jimmy is of Jewish ancestry[8][9] When he was 20, Wales married Pam. Pam was a worker at a store in Alabama. He met his second wife, Christine Rohan, through a friend in Chicago.They had a daughter before their marriage ended. Wales moved to San Diego in 1998.

In 2002, he moved again to Florida.[10] In 2007, he still lived there.[11] As of 2012 he lives in London, England.[12] In 2012, Wales married Kate Garvey, a government worker for Tony Blair.[13] Wales has three daughters: one with Rohan and two with Garvey.[14]

Wales says that he follows the ideas of Objectivism. He also says that he is a libertarian to some extent, meaning that he thinks people should be allowed to do whatever they want so long as they do not hurt others.

Career

On January 15, 2001, with Larry Sanger and others, Wales started Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free, open content encyclopedia. It grew and became popular very quickly. As Wikipedia became known to the public, he became the project’s promoter and spokesperson. He is often called a co-founder of Wikipedia, though he has argued against the "co-" part. He said he was the only founder.[15][16]

Wales is on the Board of Trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation. In 2004, he co-founded Wikia, a wiki-hosting service which tries to make money. In 2015, Wales started the Jimmy Wales Foundation for freedom of expression, to try to help bloggers or internet activists who are in prison.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Jimmy Wales's benevolent Wikipedia wisdom
  2. ↑ Jimmy Wales Monroe, Florida's County Clerk website (Marriage License Database).
  3. ↑ Current Biography Yearbook H. W. Wilson.
  4. ↑ Marquis Who's Who.
  5. ↑ Wikipedia: 50 languages, 1/2 million articles Wikimedia Foundation.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia.
  7. ↑ Brain scan: The free-knowledge fundamentalist
  8. ↑ Q & A
  9. ↑ Jimmy Wales: Celebrities: Wmagazine.com
  10. ↑ Business & Technology: He's the "God-King," but you can call him Jimbo
  11. ↑ Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia - New York Times
  12. ↑ Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia chief to advise Whitehall on policy
  13. ↑ Wiki wedding: Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales marries Tony Blair's former aide
  14. ↑ A life in the day: Jimmy Wales
  15. ↑ Sanger says he co-started Wikipedia MSNBC.
  16. ↑ A New Kid On The Wiki Block
  17. ↑ Jimmy Wales wants Wikipedia to change the world, again
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