Growing up, Gould quickly discovered her passion for the English language and her love of reading.
"[2] She was awarded a scholarship to Oberlin College as an English major, where she would graduate summa cum laude in 1938.
In her application, she mentioned two errors that she had found in a new issue of The New Yorker, citing her ability to fix them as a reason to hire her.
"[1] Shortly after her hire, Gould developed a romantic relationship with coworker Frederick "Freddie" Packard, head of the fact-checking department.
The Packard family enjoyed traveling to faraway places, making regular trips to France, Scotland, Ireland, and Morocco.
[7] She said her work was like cleaning a room: “I just try to make things right.”[1] Peers knew Gould to be meticulous and hardworking.
[7] It is said by many of The New Yorker staff that Gould had as significant a role as many of the most notable authors and editors in house.
[citation needed] Even after she became deaf, Gould continued her work as The New Yorker's only grammarian, though she now communicated with the authors by written note.
White said that he was quite grateful to have Gould's assistance in revising The Elements of Style,[1] Her edits can be seen in nonfiction works by White, Roger Angell, Wolcott Gibbs, Ved Mehta, Pauline Kael, Philip Hamburger, John McPhee, and Lillian Ross.