Abstract: A compact dimmable fluorescent lamp includes a dimming control ballast within a base which installs directly on an existing incandescent or other lighting fixture. The lamp mounts a fluorescent illumination element and includes an accessible dimmer control member connected to the dimming control ballast.In the preferred embodiment, a rotatable lamp globe both covers the fluorescent lamp and is coupled to the control element. The globe thus provides the dual functions of decoratively covering the fluorescent lamp tubes and serving as the dimmer control by rotating the globe to vary the amount of power that is supplied to the lamp. In other embodiments, a rotatable external annular ring extends substantially around the circumference of the lamp base and is connected to the dimming ballast control to serve as the dimmer control.