The FreeCiv project was started in 1995 by three Danish university students: Peter Joachim Unold, Claus Leth Gregersen and Allan Ove Kjeldbjerg. Although they are no longer part of the poject, it is maintained by the many volunteers and contributors that now form the team.
A list of contributors can be found at http://www.freeciv.org/index.php/Special:People.