Amadeus William Grabau, an American geologist, was a famous paleontologist and spent his last 26 years in China. He was a famous geologist engaged in geological research and education in China in modern times. He was also one of the main founders of modern geology in China,and one of the early founders of Chinas earliest scientific association—China Geological Society. He had made outstanding contributions to the cause of modern geology in China.During his stay in China, professor Grabau published a large number of papers and monographs, which not only related to Chinas regional geology, but also established global tectonic theories.Based on summarizing the data of North America, Europe and Asia, professor Grabau proposed the “Pulsation Theory” in the early 1930s, discovered the regularity of rise and fall of the global sea level, and established the Paleozoic tectonicstratigraphic division scheme based on the law of transgression and regression, which has since become the basis of current sequence stratigraphy. Based on the hypothesis of continental drift, professor Grabau analyzed, deduced and established the “Polar Control Theory”, emphasized the largescale horizontal movement of the crust and that the formation of geosyncline is related to the horizontal tectonic movement, proposing the germ of the original idea of subduction and seafloor spreading. The Pulsation Theory and Polar Control Theory respectively discuss the vertical and horizontal movements of the earths crust. The two theories are linked by tectonic events and complement each other to form a unified Grabaus holistic view of the earth. Professor Grabau was also an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of continental drift hypothesis. He played an important role in the emergence of plate tectonics theory. His flexible induction and deduction run through his scientific career. Although disabled, he was toughminded, and continued to write in a challenging environment. Though physically disabled, he was strong mentally and kept working regardless of overwhelming difficulties. His indomitable spirit continues to inspire others to follow in his steps.