Ryan Jordan claimed in his user profile to have taught both undergraduate and graduate theology, and in an interview with the New Yorker in July 2006, was said to be a "tenured professor of religion".
Last week, however, the New Yorker, seeking to set matters straight, added an editorial note explaining the deception, which read: "At the time of publication, neither we nor Wikipedia knew Essjay's real name."
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales said on the site that Mr Jordan was apologetic, but despite their policy of forgiveness asked that Ryan Jordan should hand in his resignation.
The following day, Ryan Jordan announced he was leaving Wikipedia.
