A ferroelectric memory includes a group of memory cells, each cell having a ferroelectric memory element, a drive line on which a voltage for writing information to the group of memory cells is placed, and a bit line on which information to be read out of the group of memory cells is placed. The memory is read by placing a voltage less than the coercive voltage of the ferroelectric memory element across a memory element. A preamplifier is connected between the memory cells and the bit line. A set switch is connected between the drive line and the memory cells, and a reset switch is connected to the memory cells in parallel with the preamplifier. Prior to reading, noise from the group of cells is discharged by grounding both electrodes of the ferroelectric memory element.