The synthetic, spectroscopic, and biological studies of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes of N(4)-(7'-chloroquinolin-4'-ylamino)-N(1)-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)thiosemicarbazone (HL) obtained by the reaction of N(4)-(7'-chloroquinolin-4'-ylamino)thiosemicarbazide with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The structures of the complexes were determined on the basis of the elemental analyses, spectroscopic data (IR, electronic, (1)H and (13)C NMR and Mass spectra) along with magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity and thermogravimetric analyses. Electrical conductance measurement revealed the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. The resulting colored products are mononuclear in nature. On the basis of the above studies, only one ligand was suggested to be coordinated to each metal atom by thione sulfur, azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen to form mononuclear complexes in which the thiosemicarbazone behaves as a monobasic tridendate ligand. The ligand and its metal complexes were tested against Gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram - ve bacteria (Escherichia coli), fungi (Candida albicans) and (Fusarium solani). The tested compounds exhibited significant activity.