The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp with an external electrode used as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device or others. To reduce invalid parts of the backlight, the length in an axial direction of an external electrode of the fluorescent lamp is required to be reduced. Therefore, a concave portion is provided to the end of the fluorescent lamp with an external electrode, and by forming the external electrode in the concave portion, the total area of the external electrodes is secured. Even if the length in the axial direction of the external electrode is short, discharge is stabilized. Graphite is used for the external electrode; however, graphite in which a water glass component is increased to enhance its mechanical strength is used.