expression, godan verb (-su)
establish oneself as an authority; found a school of thought; make a name for oneself
Used when someone becomes a recognized expert or leader in a field, creating their own distinctive style or school. The literal meaning 'to make a home of one's own' is less common in modern usage; the idiomatic sense of professional or intellectual independence is primary.
彼は若くして医学の世界で一家を成した。
He established himself as an authority in the medical world at a young age.
独自の理論で一家を成す学者もいる。
Some scholars found their own school of thought with original theories.