The famous Greek philosopher sentenced to death by drinking poison was Socrates. He was tried and found guilty in 399 BCE for corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety. Socrates chose to accept his punishment rather than flee, believing that it was essential to uphold the law. His death by hemlock drinking exemplifies his philosophical stance on virtue and morality, leaving a legacy that profoundly influenced Western philosophy. His ideas on ethics, knowledge, and the Socratic method continue to resonate in modern thought and education.