He was born on December 4, 1877, in Manhattan, New York City to Jay Gould and Helen Day Miller (1838–1889).

"[1] In 1909 he was sued by vaudeville dancer Bessie De Voie for breach of promise, and his love letters to her were published as part of the scandal.

The company became "Virginia Power" in the 1980s and operates today under the name Dominion Resources, serving Virginia, North Carolina with electric power and half a dozen other Middle Atlantic states providing natural gas services.

He made a great contribution in the development of multiple spa towns including Granville, Bagnoles-de-l'Orne and Juan-les-Pins.

[11][12] The history of his investments in France is described in the documentary film Hotel Provençal (2000), by German filmmaker Lutz Hachmeister.