Edgar S. Cahn started out as a law professor, was Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer and a civil rights campaigner.

He is best known as the originator of timebanking, which operates in more than 34 countries and 6 continents. Edgar hit upon this revolutionary idea while recovering in hospital from a heart attack. For the first time in his life he was dependent on others and unable to repay the people who were caring for him.

Timebanking is accepted as being a way for communities to create mutual support networks, helping one another and underpinning national statutory services.