Jimmy Wales is an American internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Wikipedia, one of the largest and most popular online encyclopedias in the world. Born on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama, Wales is renowned for his contributions to the democratization of knowledge and information through Wikipedia, which operates on the principles of collaboration, openness, and neutrality. Wales launched Wikipedia in 2001 alongside Larry Sanger, aiming to create a freely accessible and comprehensive repository of knowledge that anyone could contribute to and edit. Since its inception, Wikipedia has grown exponentially, with millions of articles in multiple languages covering a wide range of topics. Under Wales' leadership, Wikipedia has become one of the most visited websites on the internet, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and curious individuals seeking information on virtually any subject. Wales is known for his commitment to the principles of free knowledge and open access, advocating for transparency and accountability in information dissemination. In addition to his work with Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales is also involved in various other internet-related ventures and initiatives. He co-founded Wikia, a wiki hosting service that allows users to create and collaborate on their own wikis, and he has been involved in projects promoting internet freedom and digital literacy around the world. Wales' contributions to the world of technology and information dissemination have earned him numerous accolades and awards, including being named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World." He continues to be an influential figure in the realms of technology, education, and online collaboration, championing the ideals of openness, transparency, and free access to knowledge.
