A semiconductor memory device comprising: an active layer in which are formed a transistor source, channel and drain; a gate for the transistor; a layer of ferroelectric material; and an electrode for applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; the electrode being spaced apart from the gate, the layer of ferroelectric material having two stable states of internal polarization, and the arrangement being such that the two states of polarization have a detectable difference in effect upon the transfer characteristic of the transistor. The arrangement enables cross-talk between memory cells upon write to be avoided and can mitigate physical interface problems between the ferroelectric material and the active layer.