Who is Socrates from The Last Days of Socrates and what is their importance?

Socrates, an Athenian, was born in 469 BC. He was loyal to his homeland, and during his adult life, he developed a reputation within Athens. Socrates made both friends and enemies by meeting and speaking with people. He was outspoken, but he was also humble, curious, and prepared to discover that he had been mistaken. He never received a higher degree or certificate of education, but spent a lot of free time chasing after teachers and drawing them into conversation. Socrates is the main subject in the book.