An impregnated cathode and a method of manufacturing the same are provided for suppressing emission of unwanted electrons and particles generated from an excess electron emitting substance so as to achieve a steady electron emission characteristic. The impregnated cathode is placed directly beneath an electron emission hole of a first grid. The impregnated cathode is made up of a first sintered porous element whose surface functions as an electron emitting region and a second sintered porous element whose surface is a peripheral region other than the electron emitting region. The porosity of the first sintered porous element is greater than that of the second sintered porous element. Not only the first sintered porous element having the electron emitting region but also the second sintered porous element corresponding to the region around the electron emitting region is impregnated with the electron emitting substance. In addition, the amount of the electron emitting substance per unit volume contained in the first sintered porous element is greater than that contained in the second sintered porous element.