Abstract: A fluorescent display tube includes a plurality of phosphor screens formed on a front panel of an envelope to constitute a matrix, a plurality of cathode electrodes floating from the inner surface of a rear panel of the envelope and corresponding to the phosphor screens so as to constitute a matrix in the same manner as the phosphor screens, grid electrodes which are arranged between the phosphor screens and the cathode electrodes of the rows of the matrix and each of which has electron beam apertures, and stripe-like back electrodes formed on the inner surface of the rear panel so as to correspond to the columns of the matrix. A voltage applied to the cathode electrodes is higher or lower than that to the grid and back electrodes. Light emission of the phosphor screens can be arbitrarily controlled to obtain high resolution with a compact arrangement.