# Jimmy Wales

> co-founder of Wikipedia (born 1966)

**Wikidata**: [Q181](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Wales)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jimmy-wales

## Summary
Jimmy Wales is a co-founder of Wikipedia, born in 1966. He is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and key figure in the development of the free online encyclopedia, which he launched in 2001. Wales is also a prominent advocate for open knowledge and has held leadership roles in the Wikimedia Foundation.

## Biography
- Born: August 7, 1966 (Huntsville, Alabama, United States)
- Nationality: United States, United Kingdom
- Education:
  - Auburn University (1983–1986)
  - University of Alabama (1986 onward)
  - Indiana University Bloomington (1990)
- Known for: Co-founding Wikipedia and leading the Wikimedia Foundation
- Employer(s):
  - Wikimedia Foundation (Board of Trustees)
  - Fandom, Inc. (2004 onward)
  - Bomis (1996–2004)
- Field(s): Computer science, internet, collaborative software, encyclopedia

## Contributions
Jimmy Wales co-founded Wikipedia in 2001, creating the first free, user-editable online encyclopedia. He served as the Wikimedia Foundation’s chair of the board of trustees from 2003 to 2006 and has been a vocal advocate for open knowledge and internet freedom. Wales has also authored *The Seven Rules of Trust*, a book on collaborative governance. His work has shaped the modern internet, enabling millions to contribute to and access free information globally.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Jimmy Wales best known for?
A: Jimmy Wales is best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia launched in 2001. He also leads the Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees Wikipedia and other open knowledge projects.

### Q: Where did Jimmy Wales go to school?
A: Jimmy Wales attended Auburn University (1983–1986), the University of Alabama (1986 onward), and Indiana University Bloomington (1990).

### Q: What awards has Jimmy Wales received?
A: Jimmy Wales has received awards such as the Quadriga (2008), EFF Award (2006), and UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal (2013), among others, recognizing his contributions to open knowledge and internet freedom.

### Q: What is Jimmy Wales' current role?
A: Jimmy Wales serves as the chair emeritus of the Wikimedia Foundation’s board of trustees and is a prominent advocate for open knowledge and internet governance.

### Q: What is Jimmy Wales' stance on internet freedom?
A: Jimmy Wales is a strong advocate for internet freedom and open knowledge, often speaking out on issues like net neutrality and the importance of free information access.

## Why They Matter
Jimmy Wales revolutionized information access by creating Wikipedia, which democratized knowledge and became one of the most visited websites in the world. His work has inspired countless open-source projects and shaped the modern internet. Wales’ advocacy for internet freedom and open knowledge has influenced global policies and continues to shape digital governance.

## Notable For
- Co-founded Wikipedia in 2001, the world’s largest free online encyclopedia.
- Served as chair of the Wikimedia Foundation’s board of trustees (2003–2006).
- Authored *The Seven Rules of Trust*, a book on collaborative governance.
- Received multiple awards, including the Quadriga (2008) and UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal (2013).
- Advocate for internet freedom and open knowledge, shaping digital governance.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jimmy Wales was born on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Auburn University (1983–1986), the University of Alabama (1986 onward), and Indiana University Bloomington (1990), where he studied computer science.

### Co-Founding Wikipedia
In 2001, Wales co-founded Wikipedia with Larry Sanger, creating the first free, user-editable online encyclopedia. The project quickly gained traction, becoming one of the most visited websites globally.

### Leadership at Wikimedia Foundation
Wales served as chair of the Wikimedia Foundation’s board of trustees from 2003 to 2006. He has been a vocal advocate for open knowledge and internet freedom, often speaking at global forums like the World Economic Forum.

### Advocacy and Awards
Wales has received numerous awards, including the Quadriga (2008), EFF Award (2006), and UNESCO Niels Bohr Medal (2013). He is also the author of *The Seven Rules of Trust*, a book on collaborative governance.

### Current Role and Influence
As chair emeritus of the Wikimedia Foundation’s board of trustees, Wales continues to shape the future of open knowledge. His work has influenced internet governance and inspired countless open-source projects.

## References

1. [Facts and friction: Wikipedia's quest for credibility - web - Technology. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007](http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/facts-and-friction/2007/04/21/1176697155451.html)
2. WorldCat Entities
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. Davos 2014 Participant List
5. [Source](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9591824/Wiki-wedding-Wikipedia-founder-Jimmy-Wales-marries-Tony-Blairs-former-aide.html#)
6. [2019](https://twitter.com/jimmy_wales/status/1172549657219784705)
7. [Source](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Wikimedia_Foundation_Board_of_Trustees#History)
8. [Jimmy Wales. TheGuardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jimmy-wales)
9. [Baroness Rebuck and Jimmy Wales join Guardian Media Group board. TheGuardian.com. 2016](https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/2016/jan/27/baroness-rebuck-and-jimmy-wales-join-guardian-media-group-board)
10. [Source](https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/wikipedia-founder-jimmy-wales-wages-10291961)
11. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20100418000631/http://www.randolphschool.net/alumni/welcome/profiles.asp?newsid=432566)
12. Czech National Authority Database
13. [Source](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/mozilla-head-worries-legal-barriers-could-limit-internet-growth/article1443086/)
14. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/96057)
15. [Source](https://www.harrywalker.com/speakers/jimmy-wales)
16. [Source](https://www.technologyspeakers.com/speaker/jimmy-wales)
17. [Source](http://bigthink.com/videos/what-do-you-believe-25)
18. [Wikipedia to receive German national honor: the Quadriga Award. Wikimedia Blog. 2008](https://blog.wikimedia.org/2008/08/21/wikipedia-to-receive-german-national-honor-the-quadriga-award/)
19. [Source](https://w2.eff.org/news/archives/2006_04.php#004590)
20. [Source](http://www.gdi.ch/en/about/gd-prize)
21. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/unescos_niels_bohr_gold_medal_awarded_to_prominent_physicists_in_2013/back/9597)
22. [Source](http://internethalloffame.org/inductees/2013)
23. [Source](http://internethalloffame.org/inductees/jimmy-wales)
24. [Source](http://www.weforum.org/young-global-leaders/jimmy-wales)
25. [Source](http://reports.weforum.org/the-forum-of-young-global-leaders-2014/ygl-stories/crowdsourced/)
26. [Source](https://dandavidprize.org/previous-laureates/?getby=cat&cat=2015)
27. [Source](https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/prizes-medals/british-academy-presidents-medal/)
28. [Source](https://www.nokiafoundation.com/nokia-foundation-award)
29. Virtual International Authority File
30. marriage certificate
31. Who's Who in America
32. birth certificate
33. driver's license
34. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
35. [The free-knowledge fundamentalist. The Economist. 2008](https://www.economist.com/node/11484062)
36. Davos 2013 Participant List
37. Davos 2015 Participant List
38. Davos 2016 Participant List
39. Davos 2017 Participant List
40. Davos 2018 Participant List
41. Davos 2019 Participant List
42. Davos 2022 Participant List
43. Davos 2020 Participant List
44. CONOR.SI
45. BBC Things
46. [Jimmy Wales - Crunchbase Person Profile](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jimmy-wales)
47. Library of Congress Control Number
48. [吉米·威尔士 - 知乎](https://www.zhihu.com/topic/19723253/hot)
49. [jimbo_wales](https://www.reddit.com/r/jimbo_wales/)
50. [Jimmy Wales on Twitter: "I am jimmywales1 on reddit."](https://twitter.com/jimmy_wales/status/366582472298868736)