Jimmy Wales
Biography of Jimmy Wales
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Jimmy Donal Wales
Common Aliases: Jimbo Wales
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: August 7, 1966
Death Date: N/A
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Internet Entrepreneur, Wiki Pioneer, Businessman
Early Life and Background
Jimmy Donal Wales was born on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Raised in a family that valued education, Wales was exposed to the world of learning from an early age. His mother, Doris, and his grandmother ran a small private school where Wales received his early education. This environment fostered a love for knowledge and inquiry, which would later become a cornerstone of his professional life.
Wales attended Randolph School, a college preparatory institution, and later pursued a degree in finance at Auburn University. He continued his academic journey by earning a master's degree in finance from the University of Alabama. Although he began a Ph.D. program at Indiana University, he left before completing his dissertation, choosing instead to embark on a career in the burgeoning field of the internet.
Major Accomplishments
Jimmy Wales is best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia, the world's largest and most popular general reference work on the internet. Launched in 2001, Wikipedia revolutionized the way information is shared and consumed, embodying the principles of open collaboration and free access to knowledge. Wales's vision was to create a platform where anyone could contribute to the sum of all human knowledge, and Wikipedia has grown to include millions of articles in hundreds of languages.
In addition to Wikipedia, Wales co-founded the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports Wikipedia and its sister projects. His work with the foundation has been instrumental in ensuring that Wikipedia remains a free and open resource for people around the globe.
Notable Works or Actions
Beyond Wikipedia, Wales has been involved in several other ventures and initiatives. He founded Wikia, a for-profit company that hosts community-driven wikis on a wide range of topics. Wikia, now known as Fandom, has become a popular platform for fan communities and niche interests.
Wales has also been an advocate for internet freedom and open access to information. He has spoken at numerous conferences and events, promoting the idea that knowledge should be freely available to all. His efforts have earned him recognition as a leading figure in the digital age, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to technology and education.
Impact and Legacy
Jimmy Wales's impact on the world is profound and far-reaching. Wikipedia has transformed the way people access information, making it possible for anyone with an internet connection to learn about virtually any topic. The platform's collaborative model has empowered individuals to share their expertise and contribute to a global repository of knowledge.
Wales's commitment to open access and free information has inspired a generation of digital innovators and educators. His work has challenged traditional notions of authority and expertise, demonstrating the power of collective intelligence and community-driven content creation.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jimmy Wales is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering role in the creation of Wikipedia and his advocacy for open access to information. His vision of a world where knowledge is freely shared and accessible to all has resonated with millions of people, making him a prominent figure in discussions about the internet, education, and the future of information.
Wales's quotes often reflect his belief in the transformative power of technology and the importance of collaboration in achieving common goals. His insights into the nature of knowledge and the role of the internet in society continue to influence thinkers, educators, and technologists around the world.
In summary, Jimmy Wales's legacy is one of innovation, empowerment, and a steadfast commitment to the democratization of knowledge. His work has left an indelible mark on the digital landscape, and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
Quotes by Jimmy Wales
Jimmy Wales's insights on:
I have always viewed the mission of Wikipedia to be much bigger than just creating a killer website. We're doing that of course, and having a lot of fun doing it, but a big part of what motivates us is our larger mission to affect the world in a positive way.
One of the ways that Microsoft beat Apple way back in the day was that they were a lot more open; today, in the world I come from, the free software and open-source world, Microsoft is not generally viewed as open; they’re viewed as proprietary.
To create and distribute a free encyclopedia of the highest possible quality to every single person on the planet in their own language – That’s who I am. That’s what I am doing. That’s my life goal.
I have always viewed the mission of Wikipedia to be much bigger than just creating a killer website. We’re doing that of course, and having a lot of fun doing it, but a big part of what motivates us is our larger mission to affect the world in a positive way.
It turns out a lot of people don’t get it. Wikipedia is like rock’n’roll; it’s a cultural shift.
Massive numbers of people are going to come online from cultures we don’t normally interact with.
I tend to eat things in fours. I’ll eat four nuts, four grapes, four chips at a time. I don’t know why. It’s not really a superstition. I don’t think anything bad will happen if I don’t, but three potato chips doesn’t seem right.
I spent lots of time reading the encyclopedia and really kind of an eclectic approach to learning things – not very structured.